Grand Hotel Spring 2015 Newsletter

Spring 2015 Newsletter Announcing New Cupola Suites Grand Hotel Named Top 500 World’s Best Hotels by Travel+Leisure New Dorothy Draper School of Decorating Weekend First-Ever Halloween at the Grand Weekend

h e Newsletter of America’s Summer Place T

95885.indd 2

3/10/15 11:57 AM

America’s True Grand Hotel

The first Cupola Suite finished in 2014: the one-bedroom Musser Suite

The final look when Grand Hotel is brought back to its original architecture from the early 1900s

Musser Suite is joined by Cupola Suites on the fourth floor Last year saw the completion and first full season of the one-bedroom Musser Suite, named in honor of R.D. Musser Jr., the late, former Chairman of Grand Hotel.

Located on the hotel’s west end, it is the beginning of the fourth floor’s transformation back to its original architecture from 1915. The Musser Suite is uniquely decorated by Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper & Company, interior designer for the hotel since 1979. The suite features a king-bedded guest room, wet bar and separate parlor with spectacular views of the Mackinac Bridge and Straits of Mackinac.

The look of Grand Hotel’s fourth-floor continues to transform with the construction of our new Cupola Suites, a great addition that is ideal for families or anyone needing extra space. Each will have a king-bedded room that is entered through a spacious parlor along with the option of connecting to a room with two queen beds. Guests can reserve just the king room and parlor as a one-bedroom suite, or both bedrooms and the parlor as a two-bedroom suite. Interior designer Carleton Varney brings his incomparable design, furnishings and ambiance to each of the rooms. Just like the Musser Suite, these suites offer sweeping views of the Mackinac Bridge and the Straits of Mackinac from seating areas in the dormers.

First-ever Take advantage of a unique opportunity to stay and see Grand Hotel as it has never been seen before. So get your costumes in order for this frighteningly grand time. Mackinac Island has its own haunted history and Grand Hotel is getting in on the scary fun. Come join us for a Haunted Trail (ending with a party at The Gate House), scary movies, Bloody Mary Bar, pumpkin carving contest, free admission to downtown’s Haunted Theatre, Haunted Tea in the Parlor and a Halloween party with live music, tarot cards, palm readers and costume contests.

So grab your ghoulish friends and join us for what promises to be a spooktacular time.

Grand Garden Show another blooming success The 2014 Grand Garden Show was a colorful show indeed. It was a great success with seminars, garden tours of island homes and special guests. Continuing our partnership with Proven Winners®, the largest plant brand in the world, this year’s event will feature presenting speaker Jamie Durie, award-winning horticulturist, landscape designer and TV host on HGTV. Mackinac Island’s own garden guru Jack Barnwell of Barnwell Landscape and Gardens will be on hand to share his expertise along with PBS talk show host P. Allen Smith.

See the listing in our 2015 packages section or visit grandhotel.com.

Opening the hotel’s roof for the suites’ construction

Dormers for the Cupola Suites framed in

Introducing Grand Hotel’s Dorothy Draper School of Decorating Weekend Learn about the Dorothy Draper style from one of the most well-known interior designers and Grand Hotel’s own decorator, Carleton Varney, President of Dorothy Draper & Company in New York City. This fascinating weekend will show participants how to develop a symphonically creative space while giving a room personality and charm. The Varney design philosophy stresses “the use of bright colors and the rejection of all that is impractical, uncomfortable and drab.”

Visitors can experience those colors and inspiration throughout Grand Hotel, where Carleton Varney has been decorating for over 35 years. See the listing in our 2015 packages section or visit grandhotel.com.

It was all in at MSU coaches meeting Michigan State University coaches experienced how memorable meetings are here at Grand Hotel. Every Spartan Division 1 head coach was in attendance for a teambuilding experience in this one-of-a-kind atmosphere. The annual event is held in different locations, but they all agreed Grand Hotel was by far the best yet.

All of the Spartans’ Division 1 head coaches, enjoying Grand Hotel

2 95885.indd 3

3/10/15 11:57 AM

A Letter from Dan

Grand golf professional wins tournament There’s a winner among us. Jason Horricks, Grand Hotel PGA Certified Bill Hobson, host of Michigan Golf Live, and Jason Horricks, Grand Hotel PGA Certified Instructor, was part of the team that won the Harbor Golf Tournament this Instructor, at the Harbor Golf Tournament past fall. It was played at Boyne Highlands Resort in Harbor Springs, MI. The tournament includes various golf professionals from around northern Michigan who, for 18 years, have hit the links to raise money for the Harbor Cup Fund Charity.

The Grand nine on The Jewel added a new driving range net this past year, giving golfers a great place to practice and warm up. The Junior Golf Academy will be taking place again this summer. It’s a great way for children to start perfecting their swing and learn golf course etiquette.

Jason is available to players of all ages and skill level for private golf lessons, so while you’re here, let him give you some tips on improving your game.

Longer season means more summer to enjoy Family Added Value Days This year, the calendar works in your family’s favor. There are seven more nights between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2015, giving you extra time to visit, relax and make memories in grand style. Grand Hotel is an exceptional summer vacation destination for families, and Family Added Value Days is an excellent opportunity to experience all Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island have to offer. Children 17 and younger stay free, including meals.

Complimentary children’s programs Grand Hotel has many complimentary children’s programs to keep young guests busy. Activities include outdoor Quidditch matches, butterfly conservatory visits, duck pin bowling, arts and crafts, Grand Hotel horse stable tours, croquet and bocce ball, rock collecting on the beach, playground games, swimming in the heated swimming pool and scavenger hunts. During Family Added Value Days, there are also nightly children-friendly movies and outdoor movies in the Tea Garden on select nights.

The island itself is full of fun things for kids of all ages to do including bike riding, hiking, shopping, visits to historic Fort Mackinac and geographical wonders. So take advantage of seven extra days and nights of summer and treat your family to a grand getaway at Grand Hotel during Family Added Value Days.

Shepler’s Ferry adds to its fleet Island visitors will soon experience the latest in ferry service on the Great Lakes with Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry’s addition of a $3.8 million, 85-foot, all-aluminum ferry. The vessel will be christened “Miss Margy,” after current co-owner Chris Shepler’s grandmother and family matriarch, Margaret. Scheduled to launch in July 2015, the 281-passenger ferry will have a top speed of about 36 mph. It’s thought to be the first-ever ferry boat built in northern Michigan, constructed for Shepler’s by Moran Iron Works in Onaway.

95885.indd 4

Thank you to all of our guests who visited us for the day or overnight during our 2014 season. Having spent every summer of my life on Mackinac, it was certainly one of the more interesting seasons from a weather perspective. Ice in the Straits of Mackinac made it one of our more challenging openings in the hotel’s 129-year history.

We are certainly looking forward to the upcoming season.

The 2015 calendar has created a most unique opportunity for everyone to visit Mackinac Island. There are actually seven extra days between Memorial Day and Labor Day in 2015, making it one of the longest summers ever for America’s Summer Place. The calendar allows Grand Hotel to be open for one of the longest seasons in history, with the hotel opening on Friday, May 1 and closing on Sunday, November 1, 2015.

New to enjoy on all those extra nights are our Cupola Suites. The four bedrooms and two parlors stretching between the Musser Suite on the far west end of the hotel, which was completed in time for opening last year, and the Cupola Bar in the center of the hotel, will be ready to receive guests this season. The suites are very flexible in configuration with entrances into the king-bedded rooms through a lovely parlor creating a spacious one-bedroom suite with the ability to connect to a room with two queen beds to make it a two-bedroom suite. The parlors will feature a sleeper sofa, wet bar and a large seating area. The rooms will be decorated by our friend Carleton Varney of Dorothy Draper & Company in New York. All of the guest rooms and parlors feature dormers for additional seating with beautiful views of the Straits of Mackinac.

From the exterior, the dormers will stretch from the Cupola Bar to the far west end bringing the hotel back to the way it looked as late as 1915.

As you look down to our Tea Garden from the Front Porch, you will notice beautiful stone work and new sculpted walls defining our flower beds. Our friends at Winberg Masonry Inc. worked through the winter to make sure the project was complete in time for spring planting to make these gardens look better than ever.

The project was the inspiration of my sister, Mimi Cunningham, who had the vision and has worked with Dr. Bob Schutzki from Michigan State University for what will be a wonderful addition to Grand Hotel.

As you will also read in the newsletter, in addition to the various packages we are bringing back, we are excited about two new offerings for the upcoming season.

Carleton Varney and his colleagues will be bringing the popular Dorothy Draper School of Decorating to Grand Hotel the weekend of June 12-14. They have done the event at a number of wonderful locations across the country and we look forward to Carleton being with us that weekend to share his wisdom and flair that guests can take home and apply to their own homes. Also, as I mentioned with the longer season this year, Grand Hotel will be open for Halloween weekend. Our staff is putting together a thrilling weekend of events October 30-November 1 for our guests to enjoy. It is a rare occasion that Grand Hotel is open this late in the season and we look forward to offering guests a unique opportunity to experience Mackinac Island in late fall with a fun-filled weekend of events.

My family and I appreciate your friendship and support, and we look forward to the possibility of serving you again on Mackinac during our upcoming 2015 season.

Most sincerely,

President

3 3/10/15 11:57 AM

2015 Gr and Hotel Pack ages Grand Hotel Lilac Festival Package Dates available from June 5-14

Celebrate the flower Mackinac Island is known for while you enjoy the Grand Hotel experience and Mackinac Island’s 66th Annual Lilac Festival.

APRIL/MAY AND JUNE Early Opening Thursday, April 23-Thursday, April 30

Enjoy Grand Hotel before the official opening of our 129th season. Tour the hotel with our hotel historian or explore on your own. Package includes accommodations and continental breakfast. Luncheon and dinner are available at The Gate House and Cawthorne’s Village Inn located in downtown Mackinac.

Titanic at the Grand Friday, May 1-Sunday, May 3

Relive the majesty and intrigue of the RMS Titanic when Grand Hotel is transformed into the doomed passenger steamship. Friday night begins with a Bon Voyage party followed by a special showing of the movie, Titanic, winner of 11 Academy Awards.

Spend Saturday afternoon stepping back in time to that fateful night with Mr. Robert Stack who shares personal stories from survivors, other special guest presentations and entertainment. Saturday night, dress in period theme for the evening reception and enjoy the interactive dinner theatre event titled “Last Night on the Titanic.” The dinner will include menu items from the 11-course meal served to passengers. Guests will take on the role of an actual passenger and will find out if they survive at Saturday evening’s dinner.

Will you make one of the lifeboats?

Grand Hotel Annual Spring Needle Art Seminar Friday, May 1-Wednesday, May 6

Join fellow quilting and applique enthusiasts to improve your technique or learn a new skill from talented experts. Includes lectures and classes from David Taylor (Steamboat Springs, CO), Gyleen X. Fitzgerald (Churchville, MD), Lisa Bongean (Menasha, WI), and Ann Loveless, 2013 ArtPrize winner, (Frankfort, MI). Package includes accommodations, a full breakfast, Grand Luncheon Buffet and five-course dinner daily as well as evening receptions.

Mother’s Day Weekend Friday, May 8-Sunday, May 10

Treat Mom to a magical weekend and let our staff take care of all the details. Your package includes accommodations, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, evening receptions, free golf green fees on The Jewel (cart fee required) and Mother’s Day Grand Luncheon Buffet.

Memorial Day Weekend Saturday, May 23-Monday, May 25

It’s the unofficial start of summer and a weekend of old-fashioned island fun. Enjoy live music nightly, free golf on The Jewel (cart fee required), evening receptions, and a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily. Explore everything the island has to offer or simply relax in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch.

Take tours of Grand Hotel’s lush gardens, play golf on The Jewel for free (cart fee required), and enjoy a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily. Also experience the crowning of the Lilac Queen, the Lilac parade in downtown Mackinac, 10K run, hayrides and other great family entertainment.

Dorothy Draper School of Decorating Friday, June 12-Sunday, June 14

Join host Carleton Varney, President of Dorothy Draper & Company of New York City, and explore the art of creating beautiful, bold interiors and the Dorothy Draper style. Package includes accommodations in one of 390 uniquely decorated guest rooms designed by Mr. Varney, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, Welcome Reception on Friday evening, private dinner Saturday evening, and all of the amenities of Grand Hotel. More details on page 2.

JULY AND AUGUST Old Fashioned Mackinac Fourth of July Celebration Thursday, July 2-Sunday, July 5

Celebrate this grand island tradition at America’s Summer Place. Activities include the children’s carnival, ice cream social, cookout luncheon in the Tea Garden, free golf for ages 17 and younger and half off for accompanying adults on The Jewel, nightly receptions, and a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily. On the Fourth of July enjoy an American Picnic for dinner at Fort Mackinac followed by fireworks.

Sponsored by

Summer Wine Appreciation Weekend Friday, July 10-Sunday, July 12

It begins with a Welcome Reception on the Front Porch followed by a five-course dinner in the Main Dining Room. On Saturday, learn how to select vintages during special wine-tasting events hosted by Grand Hotel Sommelier Elizabeth Schweitzer and later, enjoy a Grand Cocktail Reception and special dinner. Afterwards sip demitasse, enjoy musical entertainment in the Terrace Room or gather with friends in the Cupola Bar. Also available in September.

Summer Michigan Golf Live Package Sunday, June 21-Tuesday, June 23

Hit the links for the vacation of a lifetime hosted by radio and television show host Bill Hobson of Michigan Golf Live, the state’s leading golf program.

Enjoy three days of unlimited golf on The Jewel, prize giveaways, evening receptions, golf scramble and box lunch. The Jewel at Grand Hotel, designed by architect Jerry Matthews, is ranked as a top northern U.S. golf resort by Condé Nast Traveler. Also available in September.

Grand Hotel Arts Weekend Friday, June 26-Sunday, June 28

Join faculty, alumni and students from the Michigan State University College of Arts and Letters for a weekend celebrating the arts while enjoying Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island. Included are pre-dinner cocktail receptions, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, a live musical theatre performance featuring MSU Department of Theatre students, a guided tour of Mackinac Island’s Manoogian Art Collection led by Tatum Walker ‘13 (MSU Alumna and Interpretive Digital Media Specialist with the Detroit Institute of Arts), and another energetic evening performance by State of Fifths, a co-ed student a cappella performance group. Also enjoy a daytime presentation from 2013 ArtPrize winner, Ann Loveless ’82 (MSU alumna), a unique quilt artist who captures the beauty of northern Michigan in her work.

Grand Hotel’s 128th Birthday June 28, 29, 30 and July 1, 6, 7, 8 and 9

It’s our birthday gift to you: a summertime getaway at a special package rate. Buy two nights and get a third half off, or buy one night and get a second 25% off.

Experience the breathtaking Straits of Mackinac from the world’s longest porch, swim in the Esther Williams Swimming Pool or tour the island by bicycle or horse and carriage. Package includes a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, and a Grand Hotel history lecture or garden tour each day.

Family Added Value Days July 12-17; July 19-23; August 9-14; August 16-21; August 23-30

Stay two nights and get the third night half off, or stay one night and get the second night 25% off.

It’s a great family getaway at a very special rate. Enjoy complimentary children’s programs, lawn games, swimming in the Esther Williams Swimming Pool, and free golf for ages 17 and younger and half off for accompanying adults on The Jewel. A full breakfast and five-course dinner daily with casual family style dinner options also available.

Grand Garden Show Featuring Proven Winners® Sunday, August 30-Tuesday, September 1

Join us for this 3rd annual event with hands-on demonstrations and presentations from some of the nation’s foremost garden design experts presented by Proven Winners. Enjoy a full breakfast and fivecourse dinner daily, evening receptions, garden tours and seminars including private garden home tours around Mackinac Island. Find more details in the article on page 2 and at grandhotel.com.

4 95885.indd 5

3/10/15 11:57 AM

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER/NOVEMBER Labor Day Jazz Weekend Friday, September 4-Monday, September 7

Immerse yourself in jazz played by some of the country’s top performers. Saturday afternoon the Dirty Dozen Brass Band jams in the Tea Garden and Sunday afternoon enjoy the Grammy Awardwinning New York Voices. The Paul Keller Trio plays the Cupola Bar each night. Includes evening cocktail receptions, Saturday and Sunday cookout luncheons, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, and all entertainment. Stay tuned at grandhotel.com for this year’s complete lineup. See page 7 for 2014 photos.

Ballroom Dancing Weekend Friday, October 9-Sunday, October 11

Perfect for the experienced fox trotter or those looking to learn some new steps. Dance the night away in both the Theatre and Terrace Room to a nationally renowned orchestra and the Grand Hotel Orchestra led by Alex Graham, Grand Hotel Music Director. Professional dance instructors will be on hand all day Saturday to help refine your moves.

Enjoy the sophistication of ballroom dancing at the place where nightly dancing and dressing up for dinner have been a tradition for generations.

Fall Wine Appreciation Weekend Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13

Start the weekend with a Welcome Reception where you’ll sample domestic and imported vintages from Grand Hotel’s award-winning wine list, followed by dinner in the Main Dining Room. Saturday, learn how to select vintages during special wine-tasting events hosted by Grand Hotel Master Sommelier Elizabeth Schweitzer. Later, enjoy a Grand Cocktail Reception followed by a special dinner. End the evening sipping demitasse, enjoy musical entertainment in the Terrace Room or gather with friends in the Cupola Bar. Also available in July.

History Weekend Friday, September 25-Sunday, September 27

Take a journey through the history of Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island. Grand Hotel Historian and Concierge Bob Tagatz, recently named Historic Hotels of America 2014 Historian of the Year, will intrigue you with information about the hotel’s history dating back to 1887 and how the island and the hotel came to be what they are today. On Saturday, enjoy a special presentation by Kim Parr, current Director at Crocker House Museum. She will discuss the Victorian history of mourning and funeral culture, and how historical events have affected American beliefs and practices in regards to death.

Masco Cottage

Perfect for those who want both the atmosphere of a summer on Mackinac Island and the amenities of a luxury resort. This four-bedroom cottage includes a private hot tub, media parlor and when you stay multiple nights, the option to have dinner served in the cottage with a menu created by your personal chef.

Package

Available on select 2015 dates

Stay two nights and get the third night half off, or stay one night and get the second night 25% off.

Enjoy all the possibilities. Play golf on The Jewel, bicycle or take a carriage ride around Mackinac Island, play lawn games in the Tea Garden, or relax in a rocking chair on the world’s longest porch. Includes a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily.

Fall Michigan Golf Live Package Friday, September 11-Sunday, September 13

Tee up for a grand fall vacation hosted by radio and television show host Bill Hobson of Michigan Golf Live, the state’s leading golf program. Includes accommodations, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, a golf scramble, box lunch, prize giveaways, private evening receptions and three days of unlimited golf on The Jewel. Also available in June.

AVAILABLE ALL SEASON LONG

Tea for Two Golf Package Available on select 2015 dates

Somewhere in Time Weekend Friday, October 16-Sunday, October 18

Experience one of our most popular special package weekends that celebrates the timeless classic Somewhere in Time, filmed at Grand Hotel and on Mackinac Island. Includes a screening of the film, discussions of the movie’s production process, and meet and mingle with returning cast and crew. You’re invited to make a cameo appearance in costume at the cocktail receptions, costume promenade, and Grand Luncheon Buffet. Accommodations, and a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily are included.

Hit the links with unlimited golf on The Jewel, ranked as a top northern U.S. golf resort by Condé Nast Traveler. After a grand day on the course relax over Afternoon Tea in the Parlor. Package includes a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily.

Murder Mystery Weekend Friday, October 23-Sunday, October 25

Turn back time to 1933 and experience America as it’s rocked by a courtroom controversy when “Death Goes to Trial.” Notorious Mob Boss Leo Pompeii, acquitted six years earlier in the murder of his companion, Alice Morgan, is again facing conviction for the brutal murder of his partner. The nation is sending their very best reporters and investigators to Mackinac Island to cover the story and you’re part of the jury. Join the intrigue and also enjoy entertainment all weekend, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, Saturday Grand Luncheon Buffet, evening receptions, and free golf green fees on The Jewel (cart fee required).

Bed and Breakfast Package Available on select dates May-October

This package includes a full breakfast along with greater dining flexibility, accommodations in one of our 390 uniquely decorated guest rooms and all resort amenities.

Honeymoon-Anniversary Package

This romantic getaway includes accommodations, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, flowers, champagne, Grand Hotel fudge, Afternoon Tea, and a private, one-hour, horse-drawn carriage ride.

For prices, full details and to make reservations, call 1-800-33GRAND or visit grandhotel.com.

Halloween at the Grand Friday, October 30-Sunday, November 1

Girlfriends Getaway Weekend Friday, October 9-Sunday, October 11

Relax with friends at Mackinac Island’s four-diamond resort hotel in autumn solitude. Enjoy the beautiful views while relaxing on the world’s longest porch, afternoon wine tasting, shopping, and Astor’s Salon and Spa. Take in a round of golf or explore the island and fall colors by taking a bike ride, walk, or horse-drawn carriage. Visit Grand Hotel’s unique shops with a special 20% discount, followed by evening receptions, and a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily in the Main Dining Room.

Join us for all the ghoulish excitement. Includes accommodations, a full breakfast and five-course dinner daily, evening receptions, Bloody Mary Bar, a scary movie, pumpkin carving contest, free admission to the Haunted Theatre, Haunted Tea in the Parlor and Grand Halloween party with live music, costume contests, tarot card and palm readers. More details on page 2 and at grandhotel.com.

Close the Grand Package Sunday, November 1-Monday, November 2

Join us for a unique look at Grand Hotel as we close the doors on its 129th season. Package includes a casual dinner buffet on Sunday evening and a continental breakfast Monday morning. Come ready to eat and drink as we clean out our pantries and wine cellar. Bob Tagatz, Hotel Historian and Concierge, will explain the process we go through to close the hotel, as well as fun facts and interesting information from the 2015 season.

Take advantage of our Lakeview option

Reserve a lakeview room for many of our weekend packages, featuring spectacular views of the Straits of Mackinac.

Indicates lakeview rooms available

Free admission to Mackinac Art Museum

Each overnight guest receives free admission to the Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum.

Focused around fine and decorative arts inspired by Mackinac Island through the ages, it’s located on Main Street.

For prices, full details and to make a reservation, call 1-800-33GRAND or visit grandhotel.com 95885.indd 6

5 3/10/15 11:58 AM

Labor Day Jazz Weekend

Jazz Weekend 2014 was filled with special moments and 2015 promises to be just as exciting. Already confirmed to perform are Dirty Dozen Brass Band, New York Voices and The Paul Keller Trio. See packages 2015 on page 5 for more details.

Jazz guitarist John Pizzarelli, his father John Paul “Bucky” and trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis mesmerize listeners

Performing Labor Day Jazz Weekend 2015

New at Grand Hotel for 2015 • Grand Hotel is proud to announce the addition of the Cupola Suites to the fourth floor. The four additional bedrooms and two parlors now bring the hotel’s total to 390 uniquely decorated rooms.

• The calendar is on our visitors’ side this year: the 2015 season is 184 nights long, seven nights longer than 2014. Grand Hotel will be hosting guests from May 1-November 1.

Father and son, Ellis Marsalis, Jr. and Delfeayo Marsalis, perform musical magic

Grammy Award-winning New York Voices, part of the 2015 Labor Day Jazz Weekend lineup

Dirty Dozen Brass Band, scheduled to perform this year in the Tea Garden

Delfeayo Marsalis during his gospel performance Sunday morning on the Front Porch

• This season, an additional 104 guest rooms have been updated with flat-screen televisions.

• The banquettes in the Main Dining Room have been reupholstered as well as the furniture in Peacock Alley, using custom manufactured fabric by our decorator, Carleton Varney.

• Grand Hotel is excited to offer two new package weekends: Dorothy Draper School of Decorating Weekend June 12-14 and Halloween at the Grand October 30-November 1. See the packages listing for more details.

Knights of Columbus

Back row: Mike Malinowski, William Chasse, Kenneth Unterbrink, Robert Fox, Rev. Ronald D. Hutchinson, Antonio Vittorini, Walter Winkle, Jr. Front row: Maureen Malinowski, Marybeth Chasse, Ellie Unterbrink, Sandy Fox, Sue Vittorini, Karen Winkle

• The stream next to the seventh fairway on The Jewel’s Grand nine has been reconfigured, making the course even more scenic.

• The flower beds in the Tea Garden that previously ran alongside the fountain have now been relocated to a beautiful raised position beside and behind the fountain along the rebuilt stone wall. They will give the Tea Garden a new look as they explode in color this season.

Grand Club

Members annual weekend celebration

Farm Bureau Insurance

Bill Hodges, Field Development and Support Director; Greg Smith, Senior Sales Director; Vic Verchereau, Vice President of Marketing; Candace Schomisch, Client Product Development Director; Tom Schrote, Agency Development Director

6 95885.indd 7

3/10/15 11:58 AM

2014 Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference

National Association of State Treasurers Governor Rick Snyder addresses attendees at the Detroit Regional Chamber event

Governor Rick Snyder and Sandy K. Baruah, Detroit Regional Chamber President & CEO (right), honor retiring United States Senator Carl Levin and United States Representative John Dingell

Enjoying the Front Porch during their 2014 annual conference

MSU Coaches Meeting

Malcolm Gladwell, best-selling author and New Yorker staff writer, at the Detroit Regional Chamber event

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan shares his vision for the future with the group last May

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Senator Debbie Stabenow and Dan Musser III

Grand Hotel’s 127th Birthday Celebration

Grand Hotel President Dan Musser III chats with guests at a reception on the Front Porch

Michigan Association of Healthcare Advocates

Dennis Swan, President & CEO, Sparrow Health System, Lansing; Jeannette Havel, President Elect, MAHA; Alma Bershas, President, MAHA: Spencer Johnson, MHA

Michigan Bankers Association

Tom Izzo, Michigan State Head Basketball Coach, enjoys a moment with Mimi Cunningham, Vice President of Grand Hotel

Carleton’s Corner The Dorothy Draper School of Decorating comes to Grand Hotel on June 12th, beginning with an evening welcome reception the night before the classes begin. I look forward, as do my associates Brinsley Matthews and Joellen Kerr, to the welcoming party and also to working with you in the Saturday classes as we create together magical ideas to simply decorate the rooms in your home — or simply bring a new spirit of color indoors.

Those of you who register for the classes can do so simply by contacting the hotel directly or online.

There are lots of new additions to Grand Hotel this season — what with the completion of the Cupola Suites — with their fabulous over-the-top lake views. The suites offer accommodations unlike any others in the resort, game-playing tables, refrigerated minibars, as well as sleeping accommodations for a family gathering, all decorated in my favorite greens, aquamarines, azaleas and whites. The Cupola Suites are filled with furnishings that befit the summer place look at the Queen of the Great Lakes — our hotel!

For the decorating school guests, there will be a tour of the hotel and a discussion of the design. The rooms to be shown are being spruced up — as they are each year — for the comfort and enjoyment of our new guests and for the many, loyal returning friends.

Welcome to summertime 2015.

Dennis Koons, President & CEO, MBA and his wife, Linda

7 95885.indd 8

3/10/15 11:58 AM

GRAND HOTEL

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PRESORTED

Thanks for sharing with Grand Hotel. We love sharing your best memories, and seeing and hearing what you have to say. Here are a few of our favorites ...

FIRST CLASS MAIL

Social Media Corner

Hudsonville Ice Cream 24th Flavor Facebook followers have had their say and chosen Brownie Batter for this year’s flavor. Made with rich chocolate brownie batter ice cream, fudge brownie chunks and a stream of thick caramel, really, how could you go wrong? Brownie Batter is just one of the 24 flavors of Michigan-based Hudsonville Ice Cream served at Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor. This classic American ice cream parlor has been a favorite at Grand Hotel since 2013. It’s named after Sadie, the Scottish terrier awarded “Best in Show” at the 2010 Westminster Dog Show, and owned by hotel proprietors, the Musser family.

P.O. BOX 286 MACKINAC ISLAND MICHIGAN 49757

“A Michigander’s Ode to the Mitten” Winning Love Letter in Pure Michigan Contest Missy Langdon of Fruitport took home the top prize: a two-night stay at Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. The contest asked fans to describe in 1,000 characters or less what they love about Michigan.

Ice Bucket Challenge Grand Hotel President Dan Musser III, Grand Hotel Historian and Concierge Bob Tagatz and Executive Vice President and Managing Director Ken Hayward took part in the ice bucket challenge, helping raise awareness and making a donation to ALS research. Grand Hotel also made an in-kind donation to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

128th Season Photo Contest Winners

Followers submitted so many great memories of Grand Hotel’s 128th season, it was hard to choose just three winners. First place won a two-night stay at Grand Hotel over its birthday weekend July 10, 2015. The second- and third-place winners received $100 gift cards.

Instagram winner: Chess Anyone? submitted by Ann Newberger, South Lyon, MI

A merica’s True Grand Hotel Awards and R ecognition Named one of the Top 500 World’s Best Hotels by Travel + Leisure Magazine Named as a Best Resort in the Midwest

by Condé Nast Traveler Addition of the Cupola Suites featured on the Michigan This Morning Show 9 & 10 News Family Vacation Critic Family Favorite Named All-Inclusive Property for Every Traveler by Condé Nast Traveler Named as a Beautiful Resort on an American Lake by Condé Nast Traveler

Runner up submitted by Evan Pinsonnault, East Lansing, MI

Proud recipient of three wedding awards We’re proud to have recently received these prestigious awards: • 2015 pick by The Knot Best of Weddings • 2015 WeddingWire Couples’ Choice Award • 2015 Brides Magazine Best Venues in America

Runner up submitted

by Ryan Werme, Portage, MI

1 of 7 All-Inclusive Family Getaways by grandparents.com Named as one of the Best Hotel Porches in the U.S. by Fodor’s Travel Best Summer Resorts by Architectural Digest Awarded the Platinum Choice Award

by Smart Meetings Magazine

For decades, Grand Hotel has been the exceptional location for countless weddings. In addition to our specially trained Wedding Coordinator, our new online Wedding Guide is now available to help plan the event of a lifetime, in a location unlike any other.

95885.indd 1

3/10/15 1:51 PM