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BVM Leisure Homes Offer Quiet, Beauty & Community |
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Two Spiders Lodge was a gift to the BVM congregation in 1959 from Esther Meyer Stryker, a Clarke graduate and friend of BVMs. Two
Spiders The bears were there—sometimes alone, sometimes in a family. The deer stood like oversized yard decorations, stock-still, before bolting away from the road and into the woods. And there were bats, always bats, which masqueraded as busy birds—until one found its way into the lodge room. In the beginning we came in large groups, a whole convent of BVMs, often by the superior’s fiat, from Chicago, Milwaukee or the Cities. Some BVMs delighted in being at Two Spiders; some were indifferent but agreed it was a quiet spot to catch up on reading; some seemed out of their milieu, or even distressed in that environment. As time went on and BVMs made decisions about personal vacations, smaller groups, affinity-based often, made their way down the picturesque road to the Lodge. Initially, groups brought their own food to supplement meats and other basics brought from the Motherhouse to the great chest in the pantry and the freezer in the basement. Bedrooms were chosen, clothes and other gear unpacked, and the cooking sign-up sheet went up on the refrigerator door. The committed outdoors women lost no time in making their way down the stone stairs for their first look at Little Spider Lake, sometimes a loon, and a fisherman casting from a boat not too far off our pier. Meals were often an adventure, such as finding creative ways to use leftovers from a previous group. Supper menus were limited only by the experience, exuberance or, even, deficiency of the cooks. Cafeteria-style was popular on pleasant evenings when the front porch beckoned. Otherwise, meals were taken in the dining room, often accompanied by spirited discussion of current congregational and world issues. For those of us with experiences as children with Wisconsin’s North Woods, this paradise near Hayward, Wis., was a blessing. Walking through acres of woodland, sunning down at the dock with a juicy novel, swimming off the pier, fishing for “the big bass,” and inspecting the coastline by canoe occupied the sunny or, at least, warm daytime. Even rainy days offered chances to play cards, nap, chat with others by the fire, work on crossword puzzles, pop corn for the crowd, drive to Hayward to check out sales, grocery shop or do household banking, and visit the casino. There are some memorable experiences for me from my visits to Two Spiders Lodge. A regular one through the years was the celebration of the liturgy by a visiting priest in our lodge room. Boats began tying up to our pier and cars came down the road in late afternoon on many Saturdays, bringing local families to join in the celebration with the BVMs in residence at the time. All the children assembled on the stairs, and adults sat on available chairs or the floor. Among the families were those of the medical community from Rochester, Minn., particularly Drs. John and Ruth Connolly and Dr. Donahue, who tried valiantly to keep the motorboat and anchor system he donated to us in repair. Then there was the memorable evening on which Justice Harry Blackmun and his wife, Dottie, came to dinner with us at the invitation of the late Joan Doyle, BVM (Leon). Dottie eagerly accepted our invitation for a tour of the lodge, while her husband chatted with us. The conversation over dinner was both informative and exhilarating as Justice Blackmun shared with us some of his experiences on the high court and with his colleagues. BVM summer visitors also provided me with memorable moments: learning to sail a little under the late Jo Mullee’s tutelege; listening to Fran Wohn (Alberic) describe the not-so-apparent creatures of our woodland; singing around a piano never in tune; hearing each new installment of the late Anne Leone Graham’s fiction about local gangsters living behind the locked gates of property along our road. Finally, sitting on the porch one evening, the group listened to a play Jeanine Moran wrote for a BVM program to be produced in Dubuque to celebrate the arrival of the first BVMs. She described the loss in New York Harbor of the fabled purse, and put into Mary Clarke’s mouth a discrete, tasteful and reassuring exclamation for poor Eliza. Hearing this, the late Juanita Joseph Malone, a native of Ireland, said, in effect, “those wouldn’t be Mother Clarke’s first words.” Then J.J. added a phrase in Irish, which left the rest of us with no doubt about the character of Mary Clarke’s initial response to their loss. Other visitors to Two Spiders, whether regulars or occasional, have their unique stories. But what most would have in common is the absolute delight and continuing sense of wonder that is ours in that setting. From so many perspectives the Spirit resides in this place of beauty and fertility and companionship. About the author: Mary Alma Sullivan, BVM (Robert Emmett) is professor emerita of communication at Loyola University, Chicago, Ill.
Salem
House Whatever the season, Salem House in southeastern Wisconsin provides an ideal setting for outdoor and indoor relaxing. The tri-level home has welcomed many BVM Sisters, BVM Associates, friends and relatives throughout the years. Purchased by the BVM community in 1989, the house is located in Salem and faces Hooker Lake. And yes, the name of the lake causes family and friends to raise an eyebrow or conceal a smile. The small lake is the focal point for all seasons. Warm summer days beckon swimmers to exercise or just cool off. Boaters explore the lake on a sturdy pedal boat. One group, however, overloaded the boat and neighbors responded to the group’s frantic calls as the boat sank. Families and friends gather for rollicking games of badminton and volleyball, three-legged and “suitcase” races, or more subdued croquet matches on the extensive flat lawn that leads from the house to the lake. Barbecue picnics are a highlight of many gatherings. A screened porch offers protection from bugs and flies. Cooler days find guests seated in front of the living room picture window, wrapped in prayer or just gazing at the restful water, blooming flower gardens and colorful trees. Once the lake freezes, winter activities begin. Our neighbor grooms a skating rink and Sisters and friends enjoy gliding across the surface. Ice boating and ice fishing are usually spectator sports but we have joined in on occasion. Another gathering area is the lower level family room with a fireplace and game table. Many evenings a group discusses world or church topics in the glow of a warm fire. Others put the cares of the world aside and concentrate on card and board games. Sometimes the players need a referee to settle a questionable move. The house sleeps seven comfortably, but groups larger than that have spread out on couches and sleeping bags. One Sister invited all her female cousins and their daughters for a weekend. The younger girls enjoyed spreading out sleeping bags on the family room floor. Sisters have celebrated special occasions at Salem. The Geraghty and O’Donnell families split a weekend in summer to celebrate birthdays, graduations and anniversaries. “The children especially love the fun that the lake provides: swimming, fishing, kayaking,” says Peggy Geraghty, BVM (St. Cabrini). “It’s a nice opportunity for the cousins to see each other in a relaxed setting.” BVM Sisters Margaret (Jamesella) and Mary Ellen Zimmermann (Ellenmae) invited the Zimmermann clan to Salem House for a family reunion some years ago. Margaret remembers, “All were elated with the comfortable house, the sunny outdoors, swimming and boating, as well as just being together in such wonderful surroundings. Then, in 2001, we celebrated Mary Ellen’s Golden Jubilee with family at this great place.” This past May, the annual Associate Picnic was held at Salem House. BVM Associates, friends, and BVM Sisters enjoyed a potluck lunch. Guests participated in lively discussions and told humorous stories as they filled the house and spilled out across the lawn to the lake. This warm and inviting leisure house has served us well. We look forward to enjoying many more seasons on Hooker Lake, Salem, Wisconsin. About the author: Janet Desmond, BVM is Director of Development S.E.T. Ministry, a community-based health and social services agency in Milwaukee, Wis. She helped locate Salem House, has overseen house repairs, and is a member of the quarterly cleaning crew. Return
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