Dear Friends,
We would like to start off our letter this week by wishing a very Happy Father’s Day to all of our fathers, grandfathers and godfathers around the world. And an extra special message of love and thanks to Denny and Todd for all the love and joy that they both bring to our lives each and every day. Thank you!
June 21st also marked the solstice and the official beginning of summer. A time when we dream about long lazy days and gatherings with friends and families. This year has certainly presented challenges from years past as to how to achieve our ‘time away together’, and while our plans may look a bit different than usual right now, many are figuring it out and adapting to the current trends. Striking the balance to find those ever precious moments that feed our souls and renew our spirits. The word that kept coming to mind this past week was perseverance.
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noun: def: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.)
Even without life altering global events, on any given day any one of us may be faced with obstacles that could get in the way of achieving our goals. What defines us is the ways in which we choose to rise to the challenges, and remain flexible, present, and positive on a path we may not have initially envisioned. The ability to stay strong and resilient like the tree branches during a storm, to grow and bloom in the sidewalk cracks like the wildflowers, and to be patient like the robins sitting on their eggs to keep them warm. We are constantly surrounded by simple gentle reminders of how we may approach adversity, but it is up to us all individually to take note and determine how to apply these lessons to ourselves, which in turn applies to one another.
Dillman’s Bay Resort is no stranger to persevering. Since 1935 we have faced many challenges and have risen to meet each and every one of them to come out stronger on the other side. This year is no exception. Over the weekend, as we were all finally together in one place as a family since the pandemic started, Claire and Denny raised our flags to mark the next chapter of another season. We have been busy on the grounds making certain each reservation is taken care of and accommodated personally, keeping the cabins immaculate, planting new garden beds, Sue re-stained the shallow beach pier as she has done since she was a child and Denny has been pressure washing everything in sight to make it gleam. While maintaining safety guidelines and protocols, we have welcomed family reunions, annual fishing trips, and new as well as long time repeat guests. Our open air peninsula gives guests the space to roam, relax and feel comfortable. The kids have been on scavenger hunts and finding their childhood moments that will last a lifetime.
While we have had to re-schedule several of our spring art workshops, we are currently hosting our first in-person socially-distanced workshop this week with renowned artist and dear family friend Tom Lynch. It is wonderful to welcome Tom back and to see the artists letting their creativity flourish. Next week we will welcome back David R. Becker and another limited group of talented art students. Last weekend we figured out, with social distancing, how to host our annual Live at The Lake benefit concert featuring the incredible talents of Scott Kirby and The Love Apple All Stars Band and special guest Ed Willett. A handful of the guests were at the lodge while others listened from their boats in the bay, and the afternoon turned out to be wonderful. One of our beloved guests who attended the concert wrote us afterwards and said “There were times that the movement of the lake corresponded with the movement of the music. There were times when the melodic flow and instrumentation blended to create mesmerizing rain-kissed ethereal orchestration. At other times the guttural growl of the lead singer took me to church and back! My goodness. What a band of emotions! Their talents had me wondering, “where in the world am I, and how did I get so lucky to be here?”
We rise to the occasion. We apply what we learn along the way. We treat others with respect, kindness and equality. We believe in the promise of tomorrow. We trust in a world that will continue to shine bright even through moments of darkness. We persevere.
Thank you for being a part of our family and woven into the fabric of our lives.
Please enjoy our images below as we try to capture the moments of the season.
P.S.
If any of you have found inspiration in our photographs that have resulted in drawings or paintings, we would love to see them and share them! Please email your works to
art@dillmans.com
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subject line: INSPIRED MOMENTS – DILLMAN’S
