2025.09

Yoder, Chris

Donation, unconditional

Items scanned by Chris Yoder or Jack Sheridan for the SDHC family history group.

digital asset

OCR transcript: CHARMING REFUGE IN . WOODS BY LAKE Boating , Fishing And Swimming—And Loitering in Woods On Hills At Saugatuck , Mich . ( Rev . F . W . Millar . ) Every year an increasing number from Sycamore spend their vacation at Toward Movement Park , Saugatuck , Mich ., where tliey enjoy a healthy , happy outdoor life , free from care or pretense- ^ a place where a man is a man for what , he is in his heart , regardless of the srize of his bank account or what he wears ¦ or does for a living—a paradise of water , air and sky , with great trees , quiet paths , and an opportunity to touch Mother Nature and gather strength for coming , days . This beautiful spot is located 90 miles northeast of -Chicago on the east shore of Lake Michigan , and is reached by the Graham & Morton Transportation Company , that old , reliable line whose officers do so much for their patrons comfort . My powers of description are inadequate to describe the extraordinary Park . To me , no other place on Lake Michigan seems so ideal for a summer home . The long luie of shore of sand unmixed with gravel , the gradually deepening water and the equable temperature of the lake at this point combine to make the beach and bathing simply perfect . I have never seen anything to equal it . Over thirty varieties of trees have been found in these grand old woods , • God s first temples . Some of the bills rise more than 200 feet above the level of the lake , and from each one can get a view of the inland sea with its ever-changing sunsets and invigorating breezes which are a constant source of joy and strength . Then there are the winding paths that take one up hill and down dale , over rustic bridges to ttie 20 cottages and 27 tents that are scattered through the woods and along the shore . It needs no proof other than a sight of this favored spot to convince the most skeptical that whoever has the chance to escape the sweltering heat ofvour prairie cities ought to do so , by visiting the Forward Movement • Par 2 , r i & n- absolutely safe place for man , woman , and child , with its hills , dales , lake , river , swimming , boating and fisning . The venerable Dr . George W . Gray , now in his 77 th year , has given many years of his life to this project and has arranged many surprises for his friends . He has organized several Bummer schools ,, such as ; The School of Expression under Cora Mel Patten , the well-known principal of the Marden School of Music and of Elocution in Chicago . The season opens July 3 and will continue thee weeks . The School of Science , under the general leadership of Professors Hone and Whitney of Chicago , opens July 10 and closes August 4 . The School of Dramatic Art iprili be conducted by John Law Conner , the well-known actor and teacher . / The Out-of-door Art Class will be in charge of Conde Wilson Hickok of the Art Institute whose expeience in conducting studio classes , as well as out-of-door work and lecture courses , insures success . The leaders of the Scout Movement , one of the largest and most successful boys organizations in the country , have chosen the Park for their encampment and will come July 10 , being one of the attractive features of this summer . The orchestra from the South Park Congregational chueh will play daily for the pleasure of the guests . The Swift Villa , gift of Mrs . Gustave Swift , has been enlarged and will accommodate TO guests . The din-ing-room will seat -250 people . Stoughton Hall , given by Mrs . Stoughton , is now completed and will accommodate 50 young men . Several new . cottages have been built furnishing ¦ accommodations for . a larger number than in previous years . The price of room and board ranges from $ 4 . 50 to $ 9 per week , depending upon the location and the number in a room . One pleasure in visiting the Park is meeting Dr . Gray who has made mankind , the common welfare , charity , mercy , and forbearance , his busincj ,. * , and by his iit e and example of selfsaerifke teaches that He who loves best his fellowman is loving God the holiest way he can . - The Forward Movement Park is not organized for profit—those who can are expected to pay the regular price—the poor are cared for free . It is conducted , like the Sycamore Hospital , for the benefit of all in need . Dr . Gunsaulus of the Central church , Chicago , writes : The work of the Forward Movement appeals to ate as almost nothing has appealed to me after 30 yeas of effort to accomplish certain social ends . Dr . Gray has conceived of this matter from an industrial and educational point of view . He has put his strength and maturity of manhood into a movement which has more common sense in it and is more up to date than anything I know for the betterment of society through personal devotion . I myself have seen the most remakable results in renewed and revivified lives , which , be fore they came under the influence of the Forward Movement , were bedraggled and well-nigh hopeless . Everything that Dr . Gray asks for is really needed in the work . Central church has gone over the entire ground under my guidance and care , and there is no question that the Forward Movement has enlisted our body of strong men a nothing has done in the last ten years . Here is the opinion of one of the greatest preachers and lecturers of this country . D . Gunsaulus has one of thelargest congregations . in Chicago , filling the Auditorium every Sunday morning , but he is also one of the most successful organizers in this country . He is the founder and president of Armour Institute . He speaks as one having authority . It is only a question of a few years when the Forward Movement Park will become one of the best known summer resorts in the country . Long before the opening this season , nearly every room and tent was spoken for . Only last Monday 105 happy boys and girls came over on the Tennessee . * These were , followed by 95 mothers from Miss Dix s Woman s club , and each member was accompanied by from one to three babies . This Club does not seem to believe in race suicide . In half an hour , this crowd had been assigned to their rooms or tents , and were ready for supper . I never saw a happier lot ; some of the boys and girls had never seen the country before . They will stay a week . There are now 250 people on the grounds and they keep Dr . Gray and his assistants busy providing for their comfort . I hope to meet many Sycamore friends here before the season is ended .