1953–54 Volume 78 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

FIRST CALL TO 1954 GENERAL CONVENTION
GRAND HOTEL ON MACKINAC ISLAND
Seat of Phi Delta Theta's Fiftieth General Convention, September 1-4,1954.
Phikeia's Band To Convene at the Grand
By PAUL C. BEAM, Executive
IT is our happy privilege to announce
on behalf of the General Council that
Phi Delta Theta's Fiftieth General Convention
will be held at the Grand Hotel,
Mackinac Island, Michigan, on September
1, 2, 3, 4, 1954. All who have been instrumental
in making these arrangements feel
that we have scored a real "ten-strike" in
securing this historic island retreat at the
crossroads of the Great Lakes for our 1954
meeting.
Mackinac Island is a little world of its
own, unique and distinctive among resorts,
where the simple peace of Colonial America
is plreserved. There are no automobiles;
only horses and carriages, rolling chairs and
bicycles. Ships of all kinds are on every
hand. Old fortifications and historic buildings
bring to mind the life of early missionaries,
voyageurs and traders who made
this the first outpost of civilization in the
West. The Jesuits founded here their first
mission with Marquette in
1671. The French made it the
capital of their Western
Province, and the English
came to drive them from the
lakes and build a Gibraltar
to rule their inland seas.
[751
Secretary
Built of rock, Mackinac Island is free
from swamps, mosquitoes and polluted
waters. The air is the purest in the world
according to the United States Government
reports. As one of nature's beauty treasures,
broad slopes roll in green profusion, and
there are gardens, drives and beauty everywhere
on this romantic island. Yachts idle
in the harbor and nearby islands glisten in
the sun. Miles of sparkling water stretch out
to meet the silver clouds, and wisps of
smoke trail from steamers sailing slowly on.
The Grand Hotel stands majestically on
a high elevation overlooking the Straits of
Mackinac. An immense colonial porch extends
two blocks in length and from this
great facade is seen landscaped grounds and
gardens, and the lakes for miles around.
The Grand Hotel affords recreation of all
kinds on its estate of five hundred acres.
There is swimming or sunbathing at the
pool or on the beach, two golf courses,
saddle horses, tennis, badminton,
volleyball, softball,
shuffleboard and other games.
The fishing waters at nearby
Les Cheneaux afford the best
of that sport in Michigan.
There is dancing every after-