What the cottage brings
By Laura Kalchik
Sun contributor
Tom and Phyl Davis have been part of the Glen Lake community since the 1950s. It started with a cottage on Big Glen Lake. Each year the then young family spent summer vacations in a rented cottage that was part of Peppler Glen View Resort near Old Settlers Picnic Grounds. Their three boys learned how to sail and waterski, honed their swimming skills, and fished to enjoy occasional family fish fries featuring the day’s catch. Several families vacationed during the same weeks every year and the kids played together. A favorite was late-night flashlight tag. There were weekly family potlucks, and softball games the dads would organize. Usually Michigan vs. Ohio, the games were the highlight of the week.
By the late ’80s Tom and Phyl purchased the cottage they’d been renting and vacationing continued. In 1990 the original cottage was replaced with a newly built house. They moved from Dayton, Ohio, upon retirement to become year ‘round residences. The permanent home lovingly retained its place as a “cottage” for the three sons and their growing families. The Davis grandchildren came and played with their annual summer friends, learned to ski and sail, enjoyed fishing for perch at the drop-off with Grandpa Tom to carry on the Davis fish fry tradition.
Phyl and Tom were both members of the Glen Lake Association, volunteered at the health club (old Hardware Store) and active in their community. Tom worked at Dunes Golf Course for more than 15 years. Phyl worked at the dentist (Dr. Beth Caleson) office in Glen Arbor for several years. She was in the Glen Lake Garden Club, and played golf with the Woman’s Dunns Golf Course League. Phyl passed away suddenly in 2010. Tom at 92 can be seen in Glen Arbor at the grocery store, or walking his dog Buck on Dunns Farm Road. Until recently he volunteered once a week at Munson Medical Center Hospitality house in Traverse City.
Tom and Phyl’s grandchildren are introducing their children to the community. The youngest additions of the Davis family begin spending time in comforting surroundings. Tiny toes dip into that same welcoming lake. Skipping down the path to water’s edge in search of shore treasures, this generation is discovering all their family cottage holds—the love of Glen Arbor, Big Glen Lake, their ancestors, holiday & family gatherings with great grandpa, and the wonderful sense of belonging a cottage brings.
The cottage expands
In 1978 son Tim Davis met his girl in the Long Beach Civic Light Opera production of South Pacific. He excitedly brought Dianna to meet his family at the cottage. The relationship flourished. They were married in 1980. “When we met, Tim wanted me to know the annual trip to Glen Lake was a must,” said Dianna. “It was a special place for him and his family, and he wanted me to love it as much as he did. He just knew that I would fall in love with this ‘sacred place’. I was a bit fearful. What if I didn’t love it as much as he does? I’m from Southern California. I grew up with the beach in my back yard. How could a lake hold a candle to that? Well, I am going into my 39th year of loving Glen Lake as much as he does. Our two children, Katherine, now 31, and Christopher, 34 wouldn’t dream of a summer without a trip to ‘the lake’. We also spent many holidays there. The entire area is just as wonderful in the fall and the winter.”
The cottage creates
Communities are often gifted by temporary or summer residents who love their surroundings. They play a part by giving time and talents to area organizations and events. Last July while Tim was enjoying his annual cottage time, he and his father attended a performance of The Music Man at the Northport Community Arts Center. Tim was thrilled with the show and the venue, and told Dianna about it. Inspired, she made a call to inquire about directing the 2017 summer play. Dianna met with the director of programming last August, bringing her resume and a few examples of her work (directing The Miracle Worker and Thoroughly Modern Millie). She graduated from the College Conservatory of Music–University of Cincinnati. She taught theatre and speech communications for more than 35 years and had been the theatre director for two high school theatre programs. Dianna performed in, and directed a variety of productions in Los Angeles and Cincinnati. Her enthusiasm and extensive stage experience got her the role.
Cottage life extended
Dianna (from Cincinnati) has been living at the cottage with her father-in-law Tom since the end of May balancing time for family life—such as meals, lake watching, shopping, and appointments with her directing duties—auditions, production meetings, and numerous rehearsals. A major time commitment, yet a beautiful place to be, according to Dianna. “Being able to spend the summer up here directing this production of Leading Ladies for the Northport Community Arts Center is a dream come true. I am excited to be able to take in all that Leelanau County has to offer during the summer. I’ve already met so many wonderful people connected with the NCAC.”
Ken Ludwig’s Leading Ladies, directed by Dianna L. Davis, is a hilarious comedy featuring two down-on-their-luck English Shakespearean actors, Jack and Leo. Working their act across Pennsylvania they devise a plan for a comeback. Transforming themselves to take on a role of comedic proportions, they try and woo a fortune from a wealthy old woman and they find love from her niece and a local girl. While attempting to clinch everything in their own special way, a preacher and a doctor challenge their efforts. Love and laughter win. (Mature theme and language).
The play will be held at Northport Community Arts Center (NCAC) in the Northport School Auditorium, 104 Wing Street. July shows: 22, 25, 26, 27 and 29 at 8 p.m., with matinees 23 and 30 at 2 p.m. Tickets: $20 weekends $15 weeknights. Call the NCAC Box Office at 231-386-5001 for tickets or info.
