I am home from Michigan.
Well, I've been home since Monday night. But I'm just getting caught up now.
The Point Foundation retreat was amazing. I couldn't ask to receive a better scholarship and be welcomed into a better extended group of friends and family.
Flew out of Harrisburg Friday, no problem. Flew into Detroit and had a little layover. Everyone on that flight talked and got to know eachother. The man sitting next to me must have noticed some of our "out" qualities and inquired how we all knew eachother. I explained the scholarship to him and he replied "Oh that's so wonderful, my partner and I own a business together." Turns out they own this one: http://www.grandheritageinternational.com So he asked a few more questions and what not before I got an exciting offer for next summer. Either the hotel in Colorado or Michigan...it would be a hotel staff job, not quite sure what position yet, but I'd stay for free. I will definitely be considering it. I introduced him to Julie and gave his card to some people that will hopefully stay in contact with him - he was very interested in the Foundation.
Friday night after checking into our hotels in Harbor Springs The Colonial was ours: http://www.harborsprings.com/Colonial%20Inn.htm That night we went to an outdoor dinner party on a golf course. Beautiful people, beautiful scenery. It was very nice. I had the pleasure of working with Joyce Tenneson: http://www.joycetenneson.com That night we all kind of just passed out around 2. Burt and I were woken up at 4:30 by scholars who had to deal with canceled flights and a five hour drive to Harbor Springs. They bunked with us for the night.
The Pier restaurant where we had breakfast the next morning is where the majority of the presentations and programs took place. Saw some excellent presentations and got to know everyone better. That night we went to Eric and Allan's house for dinner. Absolutely lovely time there, and it was gorgeous. Went back to the Colonial for the night...this is where the pictures kick in...
Burt and JR showing the scholarly love.
Brian and Zach in our room.
Sunday during the day we had more wonderful presentations at the Pier. I was really honored to be hearing these people talk. They were all so brilliant, brave and steadfast.
Sunday night we all got dolled up to go to Mackinac Island for dinner at the Grand Hotel.
Travis, Lyndsey, and Daniel on the porch of the Colonial.
Yve and Amanda on the couch.
Justin, Ryan, and John.
Milling about pictures.
The ferry to Mackinac Island.
John Pence, with the sunglasses on the right.
Francisco, Monica and Sean.
They don't allow cars on the Island. Carriages, bikes and foot traffic only. This was our ride.
The grounds of the Grand Hotel: http://www.grandhotel.com
The scene on the porch.
Walking through a massive dining room FULL of rich, white, conservative families as openly queer and queer friendly people was quite the experience. Walking behind three females linking arms and a whole slew of well dressed, obviously paired off men got me more than a few stares. I wish I could have snapped a picture of the faces people were making. It was our own moment.
Yve and Lindsay.
Matt, Julie and Michelle.
The Founders, Bruce and Carl.
After dinner conversations.
The next morning we had free time until our buses departed back to the airport.
I went for a walk into town.
And eventually it was time to say farewell.
Look here for additional photos from Burt: http://community.webshots.com/user/bjdewilde
It is really hard to express how much the Point family means to me. Everyone there is so unique, intelligent, beautiful...I could really go on forever. Hearing the stories and being a part of this group has sent me back into my life with a renewed sense of determination to become even more involved.
The Point Foundation retreat was amazing. I couldn't ask to receive a better scholarship and be welcomed into a better extended group of friends and family.
Flew out of Harrisburg Friday, no problem. Flew into Detroit and had a little layover. Everyone on that flight talked and got to know eachother. The man sitting next to me must have noticed some of our "out" qualities and inquired how we all knew eachother. I explained the scholarship to him and he replied "Oh that's so wonderful, my partner and I own a business together." Turns out they own this one: http://www.grandheritageinternational.com So he asked a few more questions and what not before I got an exciting offer for next summer. Either the hotel in Colorado or Michigan...it would be a hotel staff job, not quite sure what position yet, but I'd stay for free. I will definitely be considering it. I introduced him to Julie and gave his card to some people that will hopefully stay in contact with him - he was very interested in the Foundation.
Friday night after checking into our hotels in Harbor Springs The Colonial was ours: http://www.harborsprings.com/Colonial%20Inn.htm That night we went to an outdoor dinner party on a golf course. Beautiful people, beautiful scenery. It was very nice. I had the pleasure of working with Joyce Tenneson: http://www.joycetenneson.com That night we all kind of just passed out around 2. Burt and I were woken up at 4:30 by scholars who had to deal with canceled flights and a five hour drive to Harbor Springs. They bunked with us for the night.
The Pier restaurant where we had breakfast the next morning is where the majority of the presentations and programs took place. Saw some excellent presentations and got to know everyone better. That night we went to Eric and Allan's house for dinner. Absolutely lovely time there, and it was gorgeous. Went back to the Colonial for the night...this is where the pictures kick in...
Burt and JR showing the scholarly love.
Brian and Zach in our room.
Sunday during the day we had more wonderful presentations at the Pier. I was really honored to be hearing these people talk. They were all so brilliant, brave and steadfast.
Sunday night we all got dolled up to go to Mackinac Island for dinner at the Grand Hotel.
Travis, Lyndsey, and Daniel on the porch of the Colonial.
Yve and Amanda on the couch.
Justin, Ryan, and John.
Milling about pictures.
The ferry to Mackinac Island.
John Pence, with the sunglasses on the right.
Francisco, Monica and Sean.
They don't allow cars on the Island. Carriages, bikes and foot traffic only. This was our ride.
The grounds of the Grand Hotel: http://www.grandhotel.com
The scene on the porch.
Walking through a massive dining room FULL of rich, white, conservative families as openly queer and queer friendly people was quite the experience. Walking behind three females linking arms and a whole slew of well dressed, obviously paired off men got me more than a few stares. I wish I could have snapped a picture of the faces people were making. It was our own moment.
Yve and Lindsay.
Matt, Julie and Michelle.
The Founders, Bruce and Carl.
After dinner conversations.
The next morning we had free time until our buses departed back to the airport.
I went for a walk into town.
And eventually it was time to say farewell.
Look here for additional photos from Burt: http://community.webshots.com/user/bjdewilde
It is really hard to express how much the Point family means to me. Everyone there is so unique, intelligent, beautiful...I could really go on forever. Hearing the stories and being a part of this group has sent me back into my life with a renewed sense of determination to become even more involved.