I write this at the Scott's Family Resort—a hotel brimming
with history dating back to 1869.
It is also quite scenic as it is nestled right next to the Oquaga Lake
in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. Inside its common room where I sit, I am surrounded by
antique furniture. Across from me
is a writing desk that has to be from the 20s. Next to me is a little old baby grand piano. Naturally I'm inspired to write about
one of my all time favorite movie musicals White Christmas.
In the movie White Christmas, if I may refresh your memory,
four performers take it upon themselves to help resurrect a dying inn lodged in
Vermont.
As I ponder the glory of this simple story I find it’s
setting, similar to the one I am in now, has much to do with it. I love
the "old fashioned" splendor of the building. Who can forget
the beautiful performance area strewn with empty dining tables as the dynamite
duo sing "sisters." I'm even more delighted by it in the number
"count your blessings" because the cozy corner with the indoor fire pit
is certainly delightful.
The primary reason I love the movie is the music. I
think even seeing a musical is foreign in popular culture now much less seeing
one at a hotel. I'm talking old-time entertainment: the real thing!
We're so inundated by the television and, again, are used to visiting
hotels in cities with entertainment. But, to have a live in entertainment
in a remote bed and breakfast?--Now that's something uncommon for me to feast
my eyes on.
Of course the era’s elegance and charm adds to this but I
think there is something to be said for these family owned hotels and resorts.
There are some old fashioned things that I think should continue to
thrive.
Why don’t we see these family resorts anymore?
I’m going to venture a guess as to why this might be. Family resorts of this kind were
created for families. All day long
at Scott’s Family Resort they have group activities that the family can do
together. It’s about
community! Unfortunately, nowadays
we use vacations often to get away from our families. Silence and seclusion are what we most look forward to.
I think (and this is just one way to look at it) that when
modernity hit we started taking down the façade of happy families and really
started to own our issues.
Eventually this turned into not only owning our issues, but also being
ok with them, even agreeing with them and, shall I venture to say, celebrating
them. We became ok with
divorce. We became ok with separating
from our siblings. We became ok
with isolation.
What am I saying?
These privately owned resorts that are centered on family are
disintegrating from lack of interest in what they have to offer. However, what they have to offer, it
seems to me, is a world untouched by modernity. They are truly places where we can go back in time and
experience elegance, music, and family.
