Alice and Resthaven

Alice, John and Rilla's second daughter, was born on January 23, 1919. Family history notes, compiled in 2001 by her nephew Harvey, state that Alice took over managing Resthaven Resort in 1947, as per an article in the Antigo Journal. The following year she and her husband, Phil Sharkey, purchased the property from her parents. Alice continued to operate the resort until the end of the 1949 summer season, according to the guest register, whose final entry is dated September 19th, 1949.

On the last page of the register, someone (other than Alice, whose script was distinctive) had written, "And thus endeth for this summer one of Pelican's many Love dreams. One, just one, of many Love dreams. Telegrams were sent to their respective relatives on the 23rd."

A few years later (Harvey estimates 1953), the resort was sold to new owners and became Northern Don's.

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  At the Boathouse
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  With Pris
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  In the Woods
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  "Young & Jaunty"
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  1939
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  Miss Alice Young
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  1945
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  Camp Shelby
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  With the Captain
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  Red Cross
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  1947
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  With Brant & Fiance Phil
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  Mr. & Mrs. Phil Sharkey
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  Wedding Party
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  Front Desk
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  With Mike & Lora
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  With Mike & Lora
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  With Niece Carol
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  With Phil 1966
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  With Sisters 1977

Remembering Alice

Long after Alice and Phil had left Resthaven behind and relocated to the Chicago area, Alice's gift for hospitality continued to flourish, and to benefit everyone around her, including her three sisters and their families. Her large, beautiful home in La Grange, Illinois, was for many of us the center of our extended Young family clan, a place where we could count on seeing cousins, aunts and uncles at the wonderful Thanksgiving dinners she would host. In addition to keeping us all connected, Alice provided a great role model for gracious and relaxed home entertaining. (Personally, I never would have found the nerve to have people over and cook for them as an adult, had I not observed her fine example from "the kiddie table.")

In addition to raising five children, Alice also found time, throughout her full and busy life, to make family members at a distance feel loved and remembered. I'm reminded of this, and of Alice, every Christmas, when I hang the homemade ornaments she sent to me when I was just out of college and living far away from home and family. Thirty years and eight household moves later, I still have and cherish them.

I feel so lucky to have been Alice's niece. Some of my older cousins, including her children, knew her far better than I did, of course, and know much more about her life. If any of you would like to submit materials or memories to this site, feel free to send them to me at webjeanie@earthlink.net. You also should be able to add comments directly to photos (of Alice or others) on Red Cat Studio's Flickr photostream (though you may need to be signed into Flickr to do so). Thanks!