Bella Solviva to Introduce Glamping to Michigan

Northern Michigan will soon be home to its first glamping destination facility to be called Bella Solviva. The project, spearheaded by Brad and Sandy Carlson of Alden, will ultimately feature approximately 100 unique sites spread out over a 100+ acre complex, with six hotel style suites to be added in 2016.

Groundbreaking is expected on Earth Day (April 22nd) and will be partially funded using the crowd-sourcing platform called Indigogo. Monies donated may be used towards reservations for the various sites—including furnished safari tents, tree-houses, teepees, cabins, restored vintage RVs and airliner(s). With only five airliner lodging facilities in the world, Bella Solviva will be the first in the United States to offer these unique accommodations. Contributors who make their week-long reservations through the funding campaign will be able to choose which type of accommodation site they prefer, allowing the Carlson’s to better plan the types of lodgings to construct first. Funders will also be enrolled in the FoundersFIRST program – an exclusive opportunity to a lifetime of privileges including priority reservations on future promotional offers as well as other VIP perks. FoundersFIRST members will also have the chance to lock in rates for the 2015 and the 2016 seasons.

The campaign will kick off on Friday, March 27th and run for 30 days, with an expected goal of over $100,000 for this first phase. You will find the link to the campaign on www.bellasolviva.com as of the 27th.

Bella Solviva will be developed in several phases over the next few years. The Carlson’s expect to have around 36 sites available by the beginning of this summer - 2015, with an additional 25 expected to be complete by midsummer. The other 40 sites are will be available for the 2016 summer season. In addition to the various glamping accommodation sites, Bella Solviva will also welcome guests to bring in their own tents and equipment, while still providing the added glamping amenities the resort has to offer.

First Class projects on the horizon include a clubhouse; laundry facilities; swimming pool; tennis & multi-purpose sports courts; a natural playground; an ice skating rink in the winter; recreation hall with a variety of games, and trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing. The installation of solar panels, wind turbines and hydro power and heat generators are also planned to assist in making Bella Solviva Michigan’s first 100% green and Eco-friendly resort destination.

In addition to the natural beauty Bella Solviva will provide, an array of programming and concierge amenities will be offered to guests for an added fee, including massage, catered meal services and more. Conveniences such as recycling and propane, as well as free ice, firewood and a special welcome gift featuring a s’mores kit and hot chocolate, are among the personal touches to be provided to all guests at Bella Solviva.

The Property
The anticipated 100+ acre parcel for Bella Solviva is located near the Antrim Chain of Lakes, situated on the western edge of the Jordan River Valley, in northwest Michigan. Located within three miles of Intermediate Lake, and six of beautiful Torch Lake, water recreation abounds, and the location is central to Traverse City and Harbor Springs, with short drives to a number of quaint villages such as Charlevoix, Alden and Elk Rapids.

The Bella Solviva property features handsome woodlands and cascading creeks nestled among rolling hills and gorgeous ridge-top views – perfect for a private, secluded getaway in this year-round destination. Sheltered among majestic hemlock, red pine forests and towering maples, Bella Solviva gives you plenty of room to “stretch your legs,” having only 1/8 of the density of other camping destinations. You’ll feel like you are in your own little corner of the world.

Why Bella Solviva?
Bella Solviva means Beautiful Hope. Solviva is the name of a Swedish flower that means hope or it will at last be the way we wish. The word also means sun life which is a primary goal of this venture—a sustainable, zero-footprint, solar heated and powered recreational community unlike any other in Michigan, if not the nation.

What is Glamping?
According to Glamping.com, “Glamping is a new word for a new kind of travel, defined as glamorous camping.” Glamping – a fusion of glamour and camping – emerged international and came across the Atlantic over the last decade. Both independent properties and global hospitality brands have capitalized on a rising demand of travelers who want to experience the positive aspects of camping without the uncomfortable negatives. Glamping pivots on a high level of service that focuses on the complete comfort of the guests. The amenities found at glamping destinations far exceed anything recreational camper’s experience. When you’re glamping, there’s no tent to pitch, no sleeping bag to unroll, no fire to build. Whether in a tent, airstream, hut, villa or tree-house, glamping is a way to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury.”

About the Carlsons
Brad and Sandy Carlson have a passion for the outdoors and premium camping experiences, combined with real-world experience in a variety of companies that they have owned, making them ideally-suited to this venture.

Brad is an entrepreneurial, senior executive with over 30 years of proven leadership in business startups, team and project management. He utilizes a team oriented, process focused management style to build and retain highly motivated development, sales and support teams. Mr. Carlson is proficient in operations, development, technical application, testing, marketing and training of personnel for startups as well as established public and private sector companies.

Sandy is a seasoned leader who has led, managed, and trained teams in a variety of service related industries including education, fitness, ministry, hospitality, and private duty home care over the last 25 years. As a trainer, Sandy has been invited to speak at seminars and conferences on the topics of personal development, interpersonal relationships, teambuilding and creating viable profit centers as a strategy for short and long term growth of an organization. She is recognized for discernment and strong interpersonal skills while compassionately serving the unique needs of others. Honest transparency, a strong work ethic and integrity - doing the right thing when no one is looking - are central to what she expects from herself. As an entrepreneur, she has started and/or owned several other businesses, including an adventure-based travel venture.

Bella Solviva Facebook

The Homestead Welcomes Rick Rhynard – Senior Manager of Property Management

Rich Rhynard has been hired as The Homestead’s Senior Manager of Property Management, a result of the reorganization of the resort’s management structure designed to place ever-increasing emphasis on service quality and guest satisfaction. Rick previously served as a Senior Manager at the resort, from 2008 to 2011.

“I am really looking forward to this new role at The Homestead. It feels great to be ‘back home’ again here,” says Rick. “The challenge and excitement of learning a new part of the property, working with a great team, and getting to serve and know our owners and guest here are just several of the reasons that brought me back. I hope to continually improve the enjoyment of our owners and guest as they enjoy their time here at The Homestead.”

As Senior Manager of Property Management, Rick will be responsible for grounds, utilities, snowmaking/lifts and mechanics. We also provide some property management services to some of the associations on property and really hope under his direction that we can expand that segment of our business.

“We are very fortunate to have Rick return to The Homestead and oversee our Property Management operation,” says Adriene Kokowicz, Vice President of Resort Operations. “His experience is valuable as we continue to grow this segment of our business with an objective of providing top quality service and facilities to our guests and owners.”

After leaving The Homestead in 2011, Rick went on to serve as a Sales Manager at The Hilton Downtown in Fort Wayne, IN and also worked in pharmaceutical and medical sales. He has been a Board Member and Secretary for The Inn Association, is a member of the Fort Wayne Rotary Club and Ritz Carlton Customer Service Training. Rick earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management from Huntington University in Indiana.

The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area voted by viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America as the “Most Beautiful Place in America”. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100. “Like” The Homestead on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehomesteadmi and follow on Twitter at @TheHomesteadMI.

The Homestead Announces Administrative Reorganization; James Kuras Named VP

The Homestead is pleased to announce the appointment of James Kuras to the position of Vice President with responsibility for food and beverage, outdoor recreation, and health and wellness offerings. Kuras, who has been working at the resort since he was fourteen, holds a BA from the University of Notre Dame, where he is currently pursuing an executive MBA.

His promotion is a part of a reorganization of the resort’s management structure that is designed to place ever-increasing emphasis on service quality and guest satisfaction. “As any parent would be my wife and I are pleased to see our son advance. His youthful energy and relentless focus on service will nicely complement the decades of experience our other officers have” said the President of the resort, Bob Kuras.

“James has proven himself in nearly fifteen years of work in different parts of our business,” said Jamie Jewell, Vice President of Sales, “everyone here is delighted that he will carry forward the values that have driven our business – family and nature – long into the future.

The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area voted by viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America as the “Most Beautiful Place in America”. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100. “Like” The Homestead on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehomesteadmi and follow on Twitter at @TheHomesteadMI.

Randy & Doreen Fosgard Celebrate 1 Year Anniversary at Lake Ann’s Sleeping Bear Resort

For more than 25 years, Randy and Doreen Fosgard made the trek from their home in St. Clair, Michigan to vacation near the Sleeping Bear Dunes area of Northwest Michigan. Drawn to the outdoors and everything the Traverse City and Leelanau Peninsula region had to offer, they explored the lakeshore, natural sites and cultural attractions with their children – Dane and Julianne.

When an opportunity to relocate to Lake Ann came about in May, 2012 they couldn’t resist. That summer, they managed the Sleeping Bear Resort – spread out on 450 feet of frontage on the 40-acre Herendeene Lake. Just six months later (December 27, 2012), they purchased the resort and have just celebrated their first year as owners of the property.

“With Dane at Lake Superior State University and Julianne at Grand Valley State University, we decided it was time to pursue a dream,” says Randy.

Founded in 1971 as the Herendeene Lake Resort, the property was owned by the Mark Gabrick family from 1999 until 2012 – becoming the Sleeping Bear Resort in 2007. With its six cabins, five bedroom log home and six bedroom remodeled farm home, the resort can accommodate as many as 60 guests at any given time. Located 15 miles from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City, the year-round property offers countless on-site and nearby activities.

“We often take rides into the Leelanau Peninsula and visit the wineries and the little villages of Empire, Glen Arbor, Lake Leelanau, Leland, Northport and Suttons Bay,” Randy says. “The people in Northwest Michigan are so friendly and they all seem to have a smile on their face – that’s part of what attracted us to the area and makes us feel at home here.”

SLEEPING BEAR RESORT
7670 Reynolds Road — Lake Ann, Michigan
(231) 642-7000
rentals@sleepingbearresort.com
www.facebook.com/SleepingBearResort

Pure Michigan Nature & History Lovers Will Fall for Camp Tosebo’s Autumn Allure

Nestled amidst more than 50 colorful acres of protected forests along the southern shore of Portage Lake, between Manistee and Onekama, sets a picturesque camp that has been welcoming visitors for generations. Founded in 1912 as a private camp for boys, Camp Tosebo is one of the most historic and treasured vacation retreats in Northern Michigan. Located just off the famed M22 scenic highway, this four-season destination provides the ideal setting to soak up the explosion of fall colors.

Within just a short drive of Camp Tosebo, visitors will find dozens of natural and historic sites waiting to be explored, camera in hand. A nearly 100-mile route, originally created by the West Michigan Tourist Association (www.wmta.org), takes travelers along the winding backroads of M22, M115 and M55 through the nearby towns of Onekama, Pierport, Arcadia, Thompsonville, Kaleva, Brethren and Manistee.

Among the sites one can expect to find nearby are the Lake Bluff Audubon Center & Bird Sanctuary, the North Country Scenic Trail, Arcadia Overlook, Gwen Frostic Studios, the Bottle House Museum and the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – recently named “The Most Beautiful Place in America” by viewers of Good Morning America.

Listed with both the Michigan and National Register of Historic Places, Camp Tosebo boasts three lodging buildings which can collectively accommodate 38 guests.

Originally built as a dance pavilion, the 1893 Victorian-era Clubhouse with its covered porch easily accommodates 17 guests, with nine bedrooms and 7½ bathrooms (five with antique claw-foot tubs). There’s plenty of space to spread out through the fully-equipped chef’s kitchen, dining hall, game room, library and large living room with a stone fireplace.

The rustic Trunk House – which once was a storage facility for the campers’ luggage – is a large, one-room studio with vaulted ceilings, living and dining areas, kitchenette, queen bed and twin bed, and a bathroom with a claw foot tub and shower.

Built in 1910, the Welcome House is a two-story cottage that comfortably sleeps 10-12 people with a main floor master bedroom and bath, two bedrooms with a bath upstairs and a couch that converts to a bed in the living room. Ideal as a vacation rental for a family, this charming cottage is equipped with a fully-stocked kitchen, living room with a brick fireplace, dining room and more.

Situated in the heart of the Manistee National Forest, Camp Tosebo is the ideal setting for a quiet autumn escape, where time is spent walking the trails, paddling the lake, catching up on a good book and relaxing in front of the fireplace. Whether planning a romantic weekend, a family reunion or group gathering, the outdoor splendor and indoor relaxation of Camp Tosebo cannot be compared. Find out for yourself!

The Homestead to Host THRIVE Women’s Retreat

If you’re like us, your vacations are usually balancing acts in an attempt to accommodate different work schedules, diverse interests, and everyone’s needs. At The Homestead, we strive to provide something for everyone. But we also recognize that sometimes what you need is a little time just for you. Time to relax with a friend you haven’t seen for years, or to make new friends. Time to allow your body, mind, and spirit to be nurtured. That’s why we’ve partnered with licensed therapists Mia Moyad and Megan Gunnell to organize a weekend for women like you, for women like us.

Join us Thursday, January 24 through Sunday, January 27 for a women’s weekend of solitude, discovery, and replenishment. Experience the ambience of live harp music while engaging in group activities. Delight in cooking classes with healthful intent. Awaken the body through outdoor recreation. Luxuriate in rejuvenating spa treatments and unwind with yoga.

You’ll be welcomed to a community of women committed to experiencing THRIVE: Transform for enrichment; Harmonize with environments; Replenish for joy; Integrate mindfulness; Visualize for growth; Empower for strength.

Package prices begin at $217 per person, per night based on double occupancy or $195 per person, per night based on triple occupancy. No matter which option you choose, you price includes a stunning suite at Stony Brook Lodge, two dinners, two lunches, three breakfasts, and the many activities scheduled during the retreat. They do not include: spa treatments, or outdoor activities such as skiing, gratuity or tax and tariff on the room. An advance deposit of $350 per person is required at the time of reservation. Cancellation prior to 7 days is subject to fee of $50. Cancellation within 7 days forfeits deposit.

The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, an area voted by viewers of ABC’s Good Morning America as the “Most Beautiful Place in America”. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100. “Like” The Homestead on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thehomesteadmi and follow on Twitter at @TheHomesteadMI.

The Homestead Names Tara Ziegler as 2009 “Associate of the Year”

Tara Ziegler, Manager for Spa Amira at The Homestead in Glen Arbor, has been named the resort’s 2009 “Associate of the Year.” Tara has been with the resort since May 2008.

“Tara has done a wonderful job managing the spa operations.” says Jamie Jewell, Senior Manager at The Homestead. “We knew when we added a spa that we needed a manager who had the skills to operate successfully, establish unique programming and hire and train a staff to deliver excellent service. Tara has done that and more which has earned her the recognition of Associate of the Year.”

“I was certainly very surprised,” said Tara, of both being nominated and winning the award. “One of the things I love about working at The Homestead is the extraordinary team of people – we support each other and have a sense of camaraderie that I haven't experienced anywhere else.”

In addition to the acclaim that the title “Associate of the Year” holds, Tara receives a trip to any vacation destination of her choice, including two airline tickets and $500 in spending money.

“The trip is such an amazing gift, and I intend to take full advantage of the opportunity,” Tara said. “I haven’t made a final decision yet, but I am considering Nice, France on the Riviera or Napa Valley, California. With a choice like that, I feel like I can't really go wrong.”

With 200 summer and 100 winter employees, The Homestead is one of the region’s largest single employers. The team is lead by members of a core group of associates who all believe that a job done right starts with taking a Personal Responsibility In Delivering Excellence. It’s called PRIDE.

From managers and trainers to year-round employees who do everything from taking reservations to working in outdoor maintenance, there are only 39 members of PRIDE. This special group is eligible for unique employment benefits at The Homestead – one of them being the distinction as “Associate of the Year.”

Other nominees for “Associate of the Year” in 2009 included:

• Cyndi Salisbury, Accommodations
• Dan Stewart, Accounting
• Lindy Kellogg, Group Sales
• Steve Sanborn, Service
• Craig Winowiecki, Service
• Kevin Hennessey, Food & Beverage

Celebrating its Silver Anniversary in 2009, The Homestead is Northern Michigan’s largest waterfront resort community located in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore – a unit of the National Park Service. Along with its unmatched natural setting and miles of frontage on Lake Michigan and the Crystal River, the resort offers guest pools, tennis and golf in the summer; downhill and cross country skiing in the winter; and shops, restaurants, meeting centers and the luxurious new Spa Amira throughout all four seasons.

For more information, visit www.thehomesteadresort.com or call 231.334.5100.