In the early 1980's I worked one summer at a small summer resort near St. Joseph, Michigan, called Tabor Farm. The place had a number of small cabins, a nicely maintained 9 hole golf course, a pool, tennis courts, a softball field, access to the St. Joseph River, a dining hall with a resident chef, a small bar and nice lodge with lobby. I lived in cinder block staff quarters, and co-manned the front desk with my friend who was also in school with me.

It was a great summer. We did a lot of partying, as there were a good group of college kids working there for the summer. We were a little older, being between our frosh and soph years in dental school, but we all got along really well. Played 16 inch softball (staff vs guests), swam a LOT, and played some tennis and a bit of golf. I also participated in staff talent shows, playing some piano, some guitar and singing, as well as accompanying another staff (our bartender, Lina) when she did a flute solo. Met a bunch of nice people, staff and guests alike.

It was owned by a Lithuanian man named Valdas Adamkus. He had served in the Reagan White House for a year or two as an EPA director. Later Mr. Adamkus became PRESIDENT of Lithuania. I recall that there were a few "meetings" a year on the grounds of Lithuanian dissidents and patriots who were discussing (plotting?) the future of Lithuania after it freed itself from Soviet rule. Who knows what really happened at those meetings? Maybe something important!

Recently I vacationed with my family in the southwest corner of Michigan. There are many wineries, tons of u-pick fruit farms, dunes and beaches, and lots of neat little towns along the lake. We even found a small cave (Bear Cave) which, for 5 dollars for all four of us, sent us into the cave without a guide, just an audio tour. But I couldn't find Tabor Farm, try as I might. And no one in the area seems to know what happened to it. I was told it went bankrupt, which I can believe, as it was sort of old fashioned for vacations by now, but as far as I could see, it appears to simply be GONE! The golf course, the pool, the courts, the buildings - gone! Maybe I wasn't looking in the right area, but damned if I could find it.

It's a shame. I have so many nice memories of my summer there, and it's sort of depressing to realize that it isn't around anymore.

If anyone has ever heard of it, please comment!