Rebecca, I was curious about this also. My family used to go to a resort called Sunnybrook Farm in South haven , MI when I was a kid. That was about 30 years ago. Last year I tried to see if it was still there. I have been unable to find any info on it. I would love to take my family there. Our vacations there were some of my best memories. Reminds me of the resort that's pictured in the movie "Dirty Dancing". I hate to say it but I doubt if it still exists. You don't find too many family resorts anymore.

Sunnybrook Resort
68300 County Road
South Haven, MI 49090

Phone: (269) 639-8441
Fax: (616) 639-8441

I found it on a google search. There are also many other places like Fidelman's and Sleepy Hollow- but I agree, Sunnybrook is a one in a million.

If you ever saw the movie "Dirty Dancing"- that resort is higher end and with a different style, but then you "get" some of the feeling of
Sunnybrook. People went certain weeks just to see other people who had those same weeks. One or two weeks it was 90% Chicago cops and firemen and their families. LOL!

I have no idea if that entity is in business anymore- but found a bunch of stuff on the Internet when I googled. There is an OFFICIAL Sunnybrook Farm Resort postcard on sale on e-bay. LOL!
Look at the pictures, and you'll remember.

My kids, all three and of vastly different ages, were Sunnybrook addicts. They would rather go to Sunnybrook, even as teenagers, than anywhere else on earth. Moms may not see their own kids until family style dinnertime, and they LOVED it like that and with the freedom/ choices they had. Kid heaven.

One I do KNOW still exists and is in full operation is Sleepy Hollow. That is NOT like Sunnybrook for food etc. but is similar in lodging and activities and right ON Lake Michigan with fantastic beach AND pool AND other a.c. features. South Haven too, I believe.

Sunnybrook was operated by one extremely large family, like mine- extended cousins etc. and lots of their friends worked there in summers too. But the operation was immense and I bet if they are still "doing" and running the "farm" that many other professionals are probably involved now.

As a funny aside, or semi-funny. One year at Sunnybrook when I was in my younger 30's and with 3 kids and two parents with me there, I got a tremendous high fever type flu and was "out" of it literally for 2 days. But I vaguely remembered a conga line of kids drumming there way through the cabin and into the back room/ and out showing me their drums and other handmade crafts etc.

Food was great- I can still picture my youngest at about 2 running around there with his corn on the cob in hand, chewing and laughing.

Oh that is SO funny, how we posted about the "Dirty Dancing" reference at the same time.

Great minds!

JJ5, I am so excited to find someone else who has shared the experience of Sunnybrook. I was just wondering if it was the same one. I have heard others talk about an actual farm called sunnybrook. The place we used to go was more of a resort.(family oriented, not real stylish) It had organized games for both the kids and adults.There were talent shows,a teen club, and a park with an old car that you could climb in. I also remember a porch where you could buy snacks like snow cones. There were counsellors with names like Jumping Jimmy. Does this seem like the same place you went to? Also I went on enay to look for the postcard and couldn't find it. Was it recently?

Oh yes, that's it. And the kids will now go to the dairy to see ice cream being made with "Milkmaid Mary".

One time I won the "adult" horse races at the casino "games". Remember the dances? My son-in-law and daughter won the volleyball teams once.

You could also get peanut butter sandwiches in the back clubhouse kitchen from 10pm to midnight.

google Sunnybrook Farm Resort South Haven MI

You will get pages and pages of stuff. The E-bay postcard was one about 3 or 5 down from the top. Not too far in.

Oh my gosh! I had forgotten about the peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches. They never tasted so good as when I was eating them after 10pm. That was considered late as a kid.

Hi all,
I am 24 and I used to go with my family to Sunny Brook. I started off as a baby then became a "Sunny Fun-cluber", Then I got one year of being a teen in before they change there ways at Sunny Brook. I have so many great memories from these vacations. I loved being a teen and sitting at the "teen" table. I remember names like Hosebag Hiedie and Tony the tiger. We used to go way back in to the woods and have bomefires and drink, we were bad kids. I even remember the song..."Sunny brook will shine tonight sunny brook will shine, when the sun does down and the moon comes up sunny brook will shine". We once T-P'ed the Jewish camp across the rode, and we used to go to finland to play video games and go carting. I really miss that place, the sand volleyball, the shuffle board, the games and outings, even the early morning wake up "Good moring sunny brookers breakfast is now being served breakfast is now being served" (bell) ding a linga ling...

Oh thanks airplanes! I forgotten about the song! I know all the words-once I got started. I'm going to "use" it with my daughter when we are at Big Fish Lake in MI near Marcellus- and watch her face. LOL!

She was about 19 the last time we went and she is 37 today. Doesn't time just have wings?

When, airplanes, did it end?

To anyone topping this thread and to rsolomon if still interested- I was in SW Michigan last week for 6 days and have noted that there are NUMEROUS New Buffalo and Northwards- all the way to the Upper P. resort/spas/B&B's etc. places that are advertising now on vacation information "sheets" at the vineyards. I did some wine tasting at Warner, St. Julian, Tabor Hill- etc.

And one in South Haven is Sleepy Hollow, individual cottages right on the lake- with pool etc. Not fancy spa, but family orientated. But inland and on smaller lakes MANY high end spas etc. like The Sanctuary near Three Rivers.

I was 13 when it change it's format for the summer now I am 24 so it was the summer of 95 when I last went then the summer of 96 we went to a place called Bear foot bay in WI. Some of the people who went the same week we did to SBF went to WI with us that summer but it still was not the same, I have never had another summer vacation like the ones at SBF. I heard the owner became a drug user and thats were all the money went...I hope that is not true because that would be such a shame if that is why it all came to an end...

Thanks, airplanes, I have really, really wondered. When we were there last we went for a partial week and I could see that there were ownership problems big time, but I thought it was more than 1 person.

Wasn't it something!! Could you imagine the liability issues that might occur today though over the kinds of activities we all did! And the food for such large groups was great. My kids are late 30's and they still think it was the closest to heaven you could get here on Earth.
LOL!

It is great to hear that there are still some Sunny Brookers out there.
I am the former childrens activities director Jumpin' Jimmy. I was even more suprised to see that sombody actually remembered me! The Ott Family sold off
the resort a few years ago and the remaining family member are living in the Fort Myers Florida area.
Sunny Brook was a wonderful place to grow up. My family started going there when I was in grade school. I liked being there so much that I worked many summers for the Otts.
Remember "When the Sun goes down,
and the moon comes up,
Sunny Brook will shine!"
Now lets get on with the shuffleboard tourny. JJ

"Sunnybrook will shine tonight, Sunnybrook will shine.

Sunnybrook will shine tonight,
Sunnybrook will shine.

When the Moon comes up and the sun goes down, Sunnybrook will shine."

Glad to hear you are fine, Jumpin Jim.

And so funny that the Ott's are in Ft Meyers. So is my ex.

It was great in all those years it lasted.

Does anyone else find it funny that REBECCA is looking for SUNNYBROOK FARM?



Keith

Keith, I was going to say that at the very beginning of this last winter, but I thought someone would go on at me again, as has been usual here, as what they think is funny is often not what I think is funny.

But I did think it funny, noticed the Rebecca, and wondered if that really was her name or one just for this post.

AW, regardless, it WAS Rebecca at Sunnybrook Farm and so much more. The kind of fun you just don't find anymore in our PC, liability or "protected" type world.

Last night I was thinking about some nights at Sunnybrook. I remember one playing volleyball when the mosquitoes were like birds. And one where I won the "horse" races etc. Fun, fun place and I bet 1000's of people have memories of it.

omg, probably none of the original posts are going to read this, but my brother just found this thread and sent it to me because we were talking about SBF. We went there for 5 years and I got one year at the teen lounge and teen table. That was the most awesome place on earth. And I remember Jumpin' Jimmy! We were there from 1968-1973. I loved running around with a bunch of kids feeling like I was totally free. I don't remember any kids that were unhappy there! It was so awesome to read posts from others that were there.

I loved going into the kitchen at 10:00 at night and eating left overs. If you were lucky, there was leftover chocolate cake! But you could get leftover chicken from dinner and whatever they had. And while you were there, whoever else was in the kitchen was like your own family! I remember our first waitress was Dee. She fed us every meal for the week. Do any of you remember the talent show, and how the dads would dress up and have a beauty pageant? It was so silly and fun. Too bad we can't just let our pc notions go and be silly and fun any more. I remember all the pictures in the main lodge by the juke box of the Ott family. Bud was the patriarch, but I don't remember any other names.

My first crush was on a boy I met there every year but the last because he couldn't go that year. His name was Steve Seminario. He always went up there with his cousin, but I don't remember her name. Some times I wonder how he is. Nice family.

I wish I knew where that property was, because I'd love to go see it. I visited South Haven a couple years ago, but I don't have a clue. Remember Sherman's Ice Cream Parlor where they made the ice cream? The counselors would pile us up into vans and I think a bus and bring us into town and we'd sing songs about the bear stood around with his foot on the ground! I also remember, was it Jumpin' Jimmy(?) would JUMP over the camp fire. I could go on with those great memories all day. Thanks to all for the great posts.

mosey

mosey, oh yes!

We went in slightly later years than you did. Starting just about the time you ended. We went three years in a row when my oldest kids were about 11 to 15 and my baby was about 2 to 5.

I remember how excited he was because he (oldest) got to the teen table and perks, and how my daughter was bummed out at being on the cusp, but just missing.

Do you remember the horse races? I also remember Sherman's and the van.
And I have a picture in my head of my youngest running around with a corn on the cob eating it from the kitchen, late one night.

Oh, was it FREE and angstless! Free and easy beyond description, a real fellowship. There is nothing at all I can think of in existence now that is even close. The liabilities alone, I just shudder to think of them.

One time I had a fever and a whole group of about 30 kids came through my cabin with a home made instrument band to celebrate my recovery.

My oldest kids are 37 and 39 and we are looking, researching for a trip next summer all together with their families for the first time. What we are really looking for is a Sunnybrook in Colorado or Utah or even CA, but they do not exist.

HI JJ5-Just got back from Traverse City, Michigan with my kids! We had a great time at the Great Wolf Lodge. Not Sunny Brook, but lots to do there. Totally not Sunny Brook, because it's pricey, which, as a kid, Idk, but I'm guessing Sunny Brook was a bargain, because my step mother was very frugal. They have a kids club, story time in the lobby with animated features, this really cool interactive system called Magic Quest-the kids buy a wand and run through the center of 3 floors looking for clues. My kids are teens, 14 and 16, and they had a blast. I saw kids as young as four loving it. They also have the water park, mini golf, and a rock climbing wall. In addition, there are characters in costume at the meals. I think the closest thing you can get today is an all-inclusive.

I don't remember the horse races. But I do remember free and angstless! There was a large group that went when we did, and we kids would be running around and the parents were playing cards all night! I sure wish we could do that with our kids today. I guess I was too young to recall, but I don't even understand what you mean about the liability. It all seemed so innocent to me. But that's my kid's eye.

Oh, I just recalled this, some clients of mine go to a family Y-camp in the Poconos. The dad has been going since he was a kid. You may want to consider looking into that. Believe it or not, some of those camps can be very nice. We live in Illinois, and have a U of I camp called Lorado Taft that has all kinds of organized activities, meals (great food) and a beautiful campus for hiking. At any rate, if you look into some of the Educational Centers or Y camps, you may find something nice that's all inclusive and out doorsey.

Anyway, I loved the posts, and I just so enjoyed hearing everyone's memories. Good luck to you in your travels. How wonderful to get the whole family together like that. I hope you all have a blast!

Hi again, JJ5, Just wanted you to know, I just googled family camp and YMCA family camp. There's tons of great stuff out there. One Y camp is in the Rockies and looks beautiful. There are also a couple in Sequoia National Park. Check it out. They are a little costly, but when you consider that all activities and meals are included, not bad. Mosey

Thanks, mosey. I just saw your post now, and haven't been on Fodors much, missed your last reply before that too.

Yes, I have checked out the YMCA Rockies you mention. And I knew about the Sequoia, but did not know about the one you mention in IL. We are in IL, all of us.

The liability I mention, is the insurance for injury/mishap that a place like Sunnybrook would need to carry in a 2007 world. It would have to be so all-encompassing and $$$. Just think of all the activities and directions everyone went to, and at what ages, and with who as camp leaders etc. You could never get insurance today for that, I doubt. And if you could, it would raise the costs of a family's stay beyond a 4 Seasons. LOL!

Yes, Sunnybrook was affordable. If you took a cabin in the woods, even more so. The cabins around and in pool/activities barn area were more $ per day and yet all lodgings included the home cooked meals.

I'm going to look into your IL suggestion, but I think they will want to go farther afield.

This is the problem. We have one family (young as well 12,11,9) was has done everything and gone everywhere in comparison to the other. The more traveled family wants something "new"- which is going to be a tough row to hoe, and the other wants mainly kid activity places (7 & 5).

We are in MI all the time, year round about 20 weekends or parts of whole weeks a year. But not North.

I think the Traverse City designation might be fabulous is all else gets nixed.

Thanks!

Sadly, Sunnybrook is no longer. It is so weird to drive by now... the buildings are gone and are being replaced by an "upscale" travel trailer park. My sister Rebecca, myself and friend Violet all worked there in the late 1980's as counselors, wait staff, office help, you name it. I would love to get in touch with staff and families...

It was back in the early 1900's that my great grandfather, August Ott, built Sunny Brook. This time of year, I find myself humming the Sunny Brook song, and "Goin' on a Bear Hunt" with my children and students.

For years, I was known as Jumpin' Jeanne at the resort. It is so comforting to know that people still remember the resort as fondly as I do. When I tell my boys and my husband about the resort, they cannot even imagine the place.

Most of the Ott family lives in Florida now, but a few reside in Michigan and Illinois.

Jumpin Jimmy is right, "Sunny Brook will shine." Anyone want a sno-cone?

This is just way too funny. Thing here right now is blue moon ice cream, and where do you get it, why Sherman's of course. Jeanne how could we possibly forget Sunny Brook, you, Jimmy, the dance hall, the bon fires, the sing alongs, hay rides, singing for snow cones after a trip, just to name a few. Week 2 in June was ours.

JJ5-are you still looking for a place
to go to in Michigan? I have skimmed thru this post but not sure if you are still looking.

Have you ever heard of Camp Dearborn in Milford Michigan?

Thanks, yes I am still looking and I will look that one up for sure.

Thank you, thank you for suggestions.

How could any of us forget Sunnybrook?

We won't, jumpinjeanne. Ever time I hear the Ott name anywhere, I ask re the connection.

It was really special.

Hello all, I was just doing some searching for info on Sunnybrook, and I found this blog to my surprise. I have many fond memories of spending our summer family vacations there. I have a large extended family, and we would all look forward to our vacations at Sunnybrook.

We were there for most of the 80's and part of the early 90's. Jim Taylor, my uncle is a Chicago cop. The Taylor family became friends with the Ott family. Does the name ring a bell to anyone?

I am now 27, but I can still remember being little to even being a preteen and doing crafts, climbing the giant sand hill (which seemed to get smaller every year), taking swim lessons, snow-cones, late night PB sadwiches, magic shows, going to Finland for arcade & gocarts, Sherman's Ice Cream Parlor, shuffleboard tournaments, morning wake up bells & mealtimes, summer crushes, names like Tony the Tiger, bond fires with the Sunnybrook song of course, and even seeing the Bulls win their championships on the TV in the Rec room (sorry, I was a huge Bulls fan at the time). I even remember my uncle did the prank from Caddyshack with the Baby Ruth bar in the pool, but on a few occasions, because children have accidents, the real thing happened and the pool would be evacuated and drained. The thing I miss the most is that everyone was a big happy family. Whether you knew your neighbor or not, everyone was like family. It almost makes me teary-eyed to think that families can no longer experience Sunnybrook.

I hope others who had the opportunity to experience Sunnybrook will post their memories too. I enjoyed reading these posts and seeing what everyone else remembers.

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! I DON'T REMEMBER THE LAST TIME I WAS SO EXCITED!!!!
I was looking for Denny Ott-long story-because I wanted to find his "former"girlfriend's name and see if he knew where she was. This was the summer of 1972......just a few years ago!!! Her first name was Jane. Anybody know anything about her?
Anyway, for someone out there who might remember, I was SMILINGSUZANNE during the summers of 1972 and 1973. I almost cried when I read your postings. Wow, every time I see Dirty Dancing I think of Sunnybrook. By the way, I was a children's counselor both summers and worked a lot with the teens.
JumpingJimmy, were you there then? Were you from Chicago? I was and still am a Washingtonian.
Please respond....any and/or all of you!!
smilingsuzanne

OH My... I loved reading all your storys. It brought back so many good memorys. My grandparents use to take My Mother and her sisters to that resort when they were little. Then my mother and her sister and famliy when there many times with my grandparents. We always did Father day and then two of my cousin would have there bday there. Hi Jumpin' Jeanne I can't beleave there was a posting of you on here. Any one remeber the trip to the old barn and the story that used to be told. And they had the best snowcones after you sang the "Sunny Brook" song.

-Freddie

Oh, I just remembered a wild night whem I ventured out to the "bush" to claim my wildly roving kids for a bonfire- they were playing it, and we all ran back covered in sweat and with 20 mosquitos the size of birds on each person by the time we ran through- but into the pool and on to the bonfire and then to the kitchen for peanut butter sandwiches.

I can still feel how hot and sticky and see the bugs lighting up and "on" us and the kids laughing hysterically. It was mid-summer and about 100 degrees out, still at 9 o'clock in the dark.

So much to remember. Especially in another age in a cold stark and horrid blizzard winter.

"Sunnybrook will shine tonight!
Sunnybrook will shine!

Sunnybrook will shine tonight!
Sunnybrook will shine!

Sunnybrook will shine tonight!
Sunnybrook will shine!

When the sun goes down and the moon comes up!
Sunnybrook will shine!"

Thanks, all of you- who were the employees and family- your legacy will live on for many, many more years.

I cant believe my eyes as I'm reading these posts about Sunnybrook. I cant begin to tell you how much I miss that place. We used to go there the first Saturday after the 4th of July! I still have my T-shirt that says London, Paris, Rome, Sunnybrook!

I have tons of pics and movies my Dad took. I'm so grateful to have them. How do you begin to tell anyone how special that place was. Unless you've been there you just cant describe how it made you feel driving up and seeing that "sun" sign in front and checking in at the office.

Remember "going on a bear hunt" song.
Remember the haunted barn....lol. The teen room! Taking our dirty towels and exchanging them for fresh ones. Dinner is now being served, Dinner is now being served. Diving lessons with JummpinJeanne.

Jeanne if you're reading this I was there the week the Fera's were there. Do you remember Pete and Sandy Fera? We stayed in the cabins on the side closest to the Basketball court. I think we were in cabin 14. Anyone there the week I was????

The first Saturday after the 4th of July.

Treyphish, my kids who are now 38 and nearly 40 always wonder/discuss the logistics of Sunnybrook, and cabin placements, as you just did. And they also wonder how many romances and marriages came out of Sunnybrook "regulars" and their "weeks".

I think of Sunnybrook every single time I see or hear anything from the movie "Dirty Dancing". I was an adult so I remember the dances and the "horse" races SO well.

I remember everything about that place from the Shasta pop machines or was it fresca? to las vegas night, the frontier room, sneaking beer out of the public fridges that were around the resort. The sand dunes, the huge frickin horse flies. The tether ball at the park.

The week we went we'd have stupid olympics, my family and friends about 35 of us went to dinner one night in Togas......lol. We put the golf cart in the pool one year. It always rained one day which was always cool sitting by your cabin, those chairs were so comfortable. Tater Tot eating contests.......damn it open that place back up!!!!!!

My girlfriend at the time and I were in the shuffleboard tournament finals and lost by a hair. Volleyball courts
I can close my eyes and see everything. I even made out with two of the counselors down in "never never land" Ahhhhh memories!

Treyphish, we were the 1st week in August.

One time my daughter and her then boyfriend, now husband of many years, won the volleyball.

Oh God, those horse flies out by the blueberry bushes!!! I remember I brought my Mom and Dad one year and he got caught out there with one of my boys, they were welts all over.

One time I got a horrendous fever the day after I arrived, and the only thing I remember well from that year, is the mambo line of about 40 teenagers my oldest kids got to prance through the room where I was sleeping in fever, playing the "Sunnybrook instruments"- and they really did think it was funny.

I remember the corn on the cob- platters and platters of it, and the kids using them like bats. And the big dairy farm/ice creamery trip- which many underaged snuck on each year.

Some weeks it was almost all Chicago fireman, cops and their families, and our week was one of those. Yes, it was on a scale that could never be done now- just upon the liabilities alone.

It was a fabulous time- the Sunnybrook week. My kids would choose it over any other vacation.

OK, brace yourselves.

My name is John Kleinhenz, but for those of you who were guests in 1973 I was beter known as "Jumping John"

I have enjoyed reading all of there postings about the Brook. I returned as a guest in 1980 and again in1986. The place hadn't changed much. It is now a huge RV Resort, all of the buildings are gone, they made a HUGE lake where the cornfield was next door, but kept the Sunny Brook name. They built their Recreation hall on the exact site of the Dance hall/dining room.

I would really enjoy hearing from some of you guests from summer of '73, send me a note at dry_dude@yahoo.com

Sunny Brook will shine tonight . . .

Update.

Jumpin Jimmy, I remember you from 70 & 71, you visited there in 73, I remember you, pretty cool dude

BTW,, I was Jumping John, the guy jumping over the campfire in front of the "FUNTIER" room. Lost a lot of leg hair that summer!!!

Good evening, Sunny Brookers!
Yes, Treyphish, I do remember the Fera's and the weeks that have all been mentioned in the Sunny Brook blog. I am not sure if any Sunny Brooker can ever be forgotten. . .that was a speical place, and it created special memories.

As I read all the notes to my husband and son, who have never been to Sunny Brook, tears are coming to my eyes. That is one experience that they will never have.

There is now an RV resort there, and the new owner has some nice pictures of the land. Often, old Sunny Brookers stop by he says to see what it now looks like. Denny Ott still lives in South Haven, down the old Piney Woods road (watch out for those leprechauns!)

It is funny, only one family put the golf cart in the pool, and I remember that. I remember the candy bar in the pool after the movie "Caddy Shack" came out. I remember the drinks by the pool and the Chicago cops with the hats "When your day ends, ours begins," that was a wild week. I can recite the Haunted Barn story still and give a tour like it was yesterday. I still have a "Londan, Paris, Rome" t-shirt, and my husband has my one remaining navy blue sweatshirt!

Thank you for sharing all your warm feelings about the resort, they are wonderful to read and to share with my son, Noah.
Jumpin' Jeanne

After many years of withdrawl my family and I happened across a Sunny Brook staple in our "back yard". We went to lunch in Downers Grove, afterwords we walked a few doors down, I couldn't believe it! a Sherman's Dairy ice cream shop. Now that made my day.

I am Jolly Jettie. I was a counselor in the early 1070's. I recently wrote a novel, and part of the setting is at sunny brook. those summers are some of the very best memories of my life. john, you and i were there together. there was debbie too. I loved the kids and the parents. the hikes were so fun. and the wild blueberries out back and all the wildflowers that grew in the open field. I developed a lifelong love of wildflowers after identifying about 100 types in that field alone. I remember suzette. of course, i remember ed pugh and collette. denny's girlfriend was jean, not jane, just like his mom, jeanne. i tried to email collette a few times. she is a principal in a catholic school in florida. no response. i hope more people post here. someday i want to own a family resort like that. i will never, ever forget what that place and all those people meant to me

I'm one of your Sunnybrook people- was there all the way through the 1970's and into the '80's. I think 1982 was our last year.

All of you counselors and staff are not forgotten.

This last 4 days I took 13 members of my immediate family (kids, grandkids and spouses) to a resort in WI- Chula Vista on the WI River, not far from the Dells.

It was pleasant and the waterparks were dynamite. The rooms/condo we had were 4 times the size for the same amount of people and super fashionable- but I tell you- we DID mention Sunnybrook- and often.

We compared.

We love Michigan- it is second to none for this kind of vacation and its own singular form of physical beauty- both. AND- the food was BETTER at Sunnybrook (despite being a high end resort status this year 2008 at Chula Vista) and at a porportional $$ of probably 1/3rd of the price, even gauging for inflation/changing logistics etc.

Sunnybrook and places like it, are just not attainable- in such pure forms. Liability, jadedness to lodging and much else just makes the whole criteria "different" from the get-go.

Thanks, Jolly Jettie and jumpinjeanne and all the Sunnybrook people who read this.

The "kids" are 40 now- but their kids are still hearing the tales- even up to this week.

There were no dairy or farm trips on this fancy stay either. Nor dances or "horse" races at night either.

Shuffleboard and the volleyball- were our favorite evening rituals- and we had a tournament. But it wasn't organized as in Sunnybrook style.

My sister came across this site and we just sat back and could remember like it was yesterday. Me and my family went there from 79-91 just after the fourth. To read all those memories brought tears to my eyes. I don't think that you can really describe how much fun we had. Yes, from the peanut butter and jelly snadwiches at night to campfires and of coarse "some trouble" us teens got into. We still see some of out fellow sunny brookers, and the memories will always be cherished. Thank you Jumping Jeannie and the Ott for great memories.
LV

Hello Sunny Brookers!!!! My family went from '85(?) till '94. What great memories we have of the place! We were just talking about it the other day when i stumbled across this site! It's so sad that it is gone . Sunny Brook was located just east of Sherman's Ice Cream on Phoneix Road. I drive up there every so often for ice cream (it's still THAT GOOD!!!) and have to swing by Sunny Brook. All that was there last time was the house where you signed in and got the yummy sno cones. And the rec hall/kitchen/ dinning hall. Reading this made me pull out my old photos. Remember the bonfires and the silly songs? The talent show? Terrorizing the night guard? Raiding the kitchen for a late night snack? Our summer loves? The pool contests? The stuff we got away with? Haha! Go carts at Finland? Teen trips to the movies and Saugatuck? Breaking the car window with a water balloon sling shot? Deer Fores? The nature center? The tornado and everyone cramed in Nursey Land(?) and the theater? the on site theater? I could go on and on. I still have a few Sunnybook shirts and 1 hat that is still signed! Hello Jumpin Jeanie, Tiger Tony, ? Amy ,and all the rest. THANK YOU for a great time. My memories are priceless. I'm 28 and STILL wish I could go back to Sunnybrook. One last thing:

DA BULLS and CHEESE BALLS!!!!

This is a funny thread.
Having grown up in Kalamazoo, we'd go to South Haven fairly often but not to Sunnybrook Farm. It did remind me, however, of going to the (what seemed) huge girl scout camp outside of Kalamazoo though. I think all the area troops went there in the Fall. We're talking late 60's, very early 70's... Anyone recall where that might have been?

I was there every year in the 70's, lots of good memories but as a kid I thought the people there were kind of strange, everyone was way too happy all of the time lol.

I also remember the song "Sunnybrook Will Shine Tonight" but does anyone remember when they used to include the part "Fiedlemans will burn tonight?" I am not sure of the name exactly but it was the more expensive resort across the street. I remember never wanting to sing that part,just didn't seem right.

Don't get me wrong, I had my share of good experiences at Sunnybrook and I did love to go there as a kid but just remember it being kind of a strange place too lol.

Hey guys. Sunnybrook Farm in South Haven Michigan is not a resort anymore. It closed about 1994. That was the last time I was there. We went in August for about 20 years in a row. I wonder where Jumpin Jeanne Ott is these days. We found another resort near by called Pennelwood resort. We closed that one now too. Last year we went to Double JJ's near Muskegan. Its a nice place, but it too is having some tough times. Would like to hear from some of my old Sunnybrook buddies. Kirby

What I remember most about Sunnybrook Farms was the handsome Nightwatchman that worked there from 1987 thru 1989. Hi Jumpin Jeanne. How's life treating you?

Deek

dfountaine@vichem.com

Okay so the nightwatchman wasn't exactly handsome. But I sure had a hell of a lot of fun working at Sunnybrook those three summers. I honestly think the staff had more fun then the guests....and we got paid for it. Jeanne I hope you still check in on this forum once in a while. I'd love to hear from you. Hope your lovin life as much as I am. I woke up one day and I was over 40 with a wife and two beautiful daughters. The older I get the more I understand the Jimmy Buffet songs. I wish there was a Sunnybrook left in this world to take my family to. Hope all your family is doing well. I hope we can hook up some day. What ever happened to Ricky? I'll never forget that clown.

Peace out.

Deek the nightwatchman.

Hello Kirby and Deek-
This is Jumpin' Jeanne. I am living in Florida, teaching, and taking care of my two sons! My parents live here in Cape Coral with me. My father is retired and my mother teaches one day a week.

Like you, I wish my kids could have seen the resort and experienced it. It is hard to get the "resort feeling" across to anyone who has not been there. I miss it; I know you can never go back, but somedays I wish I could.

I hope life is treating you all well. I did just publish a beginning teaching book with my husband and friends...www.smashingapples.com is the website for it. You can reach me via that site if you would like as I manage it.
Jumpin' Jeanne

HOWDIE, I was fortunate enough to share the BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD!!I HAVE SO Much Love from that time going there!!! My name is AShley Dillman, and my family would come on the 1st week of AUG!!! I am able to sit here @ my laptop and go to all the different activities, and swimming, sandcastles, haunted barns, hayrides, snowcones, the big trip vans, pinball, hokie pokie, swingin @ the park, skipping on the sidewalks, it was the week of fun everytime!!! I LOVE U SUNNYBROOK

Hey, JumpinJimmy! This is Sidedish Sheila. Weren't you an Andy Frane for the Chicago Cubs?

For the rest of you, I worked at the resort as a waitress from 1971-1973 and played the piano for the Monday Night (Drink) I mean Sing-alongs. So many fond memories. The all-staff dinner out each summer, beach parties, tonga juice, Thursday night talent shows, gathering down at the Phoenix Inn, going up to Saugatuck on our off hours, just to mention a few.

I'd love to hear from any of the gang. Those were the days of having fun, growing up, and meeting lots of great folks. I'm just glad I don't have to clean cabins anymore. My own home is plenty!

It breaks my heart to learn that the farm is no longer there... My mother and I didn't have the best relationship while I was growing up... but we always had Sunnybrook... We went for a week in August, for years, in the late 80's, while I was in 3rd or 4th through 7th grade.... & now she is dying with hospice... I was hoping to find some happy memories there... and now it is gone... It brings me to tears... If I had a million dollars I would bring it back... for it meant that much to me... It is then when I remember my mom smiling... it was there where we connected... it was there where the rest of the world was gone... and there was only fun.................I just can't believe it's gone : (

I also remember the song "Sunnybrook Will Shine Tonight" but does anyone remember when they used to include the part "Fiedlemans will burn tonight?" I am not sure of the name exactly but it was the more expensive resort across the street. I remember never wanting to sing that part,just didn't seem right.

Sunnybrook will shine tonight
Sunnbrook will shine!
Sunnybrook will shine tonight
Won't that be fine and dandy?

Sunnybrook will shine tonight
Sunnybrook will shine
When the sun goes down and the moon comes up
Sunnybrook will shine!

Fiddleman's will burn tonight
Fiddleman's will burn!
Fiddleman's will burn tonight!
Won't that be fine and dandy?

Fiddleman's will burn tonight
Fiddleman's will burn
When the sun goes down and the moon comes up
Fiddleman's will burn!

I'm feeling a bit guilty already just typing that

Remember the many verses to "Fried Ham"? Not too PC, that's for sure? ("Same song, second verse, Chinese accent a little bit worse!")

Does anyone remember "The Princess Pat" and her Rickabamboo?

Cheers, fellow Sunnybrookers! Thanks for the memories.

I had forgotten about the Fiddleman's verse. You reminded me.

My week was almost all Chicago cops and their families.

There was LOTS of non-PC stuff, and we also had a costume night. I can remember a bunch of cross dressers at that one.

There was LOTS of non-PC stuff, and we also had a costume night. I can remember a bunch of cross dressers at that one.

Well, JJ5, I was only age 5,6, and 7 respectively the three years I went to Sunnybrook, so that kind of stuff went right over my head!

Jenniferkg, your post is so poignant and so sad, and yes, I understand exactly what you mean when you say, "the rest of the world was gone... and there was only fun." Where DOES the time go?

Fried ham, Fried ham
Cheese and bologna
And after the macaroni
We'll have onions
Pickles and pretzels
And then we'll have some more fried ham
(Fried ham, fried ham!)

Same song, second verse,
Chinese accent, a little bit worse....

My family ( Gersch )was also there the week of the fera's from late 80s to early 90s i believe. I know pete and sandy. I am 23 so dont have a ton of memories off the top of my head but sure the rest of my family does. I know we got a lot of video and pictures. I do remember my grandpa won the shuffle board tournment before.

For those of you seeking something like Sunnybrook, there is a place near South Haven, MI right now that is not the same, don't get me wrong- but that IS a family resort. It is at that economic level too- maybe in the accomodations actually, a bit better. There are condos now as well. And it has a swimming pool, tennis etc. and also 1000 feet of Lake Michigan beach. My BF is a lucky Grandmother that has two boys over 40 years old now, but 9 grandchildren and with her husband and their spouses the entire family does the second week in June there, and has for years. Teenagers included.

It's called Sleepy Hollow.

http://www.michigan.org/Property/Detail.aspx?p=G6215

I'm not advertising, and I haven't been there myself in about 7 years, because I have a place on an inland lake myself in wine/orchard country MI and I LOVE it. But I can attest that the sunsets and much else will be spectacular.

Nothing could be like SUNNYBROOK now in 2009, IMHO. There is an entire attached perception and group awareness and fling of adventurous joy, especially in early years Sunnybrook, that could never be recaptured in this era. There was no suing, personal responsibility and group rules were supremely accepted- and there was a completely different sense of trust, safety, authority of adults over the kids etc. etc.- I could go on and on. Freedom in a single world, really. Freedom not to be afraid of the kidnapper or serial killer or whatever, all the way down the line to a cracked head incident or a 20 bee sting run to a doctor's office. And density and much else of crowds were much more commonly acceptable to the SunnyBrookers too.

Teenagers had there own dining tables and area, REMEMBER!

I do because my DD, got herself moved up at 12. LOL!

wow... this is quite an unexpected blast from the past! I worked at Sunnybrook the summers of 77 & 78 and was just trying to find some of my SB buddies on Facebook. Decided to google and here you all are! Jumpin' Jeanne! How exciting...

My years at SBF shaped my life and friendships for a long time to come. Even though it was only 2 years, they were so important to me then. Now that I'm pushing 50 (yikes!) I'd forgotten about the song, but definitely not the fun...and the incredibly hard work if you were staff. The job was not fun, but the friendships made it all worth while. (I was a waitress and we worked really hard - sometimes 12 hours a day! Whenever my feet hurt I think of those summers!)

One of my most memorable memories of the families that came was Labor Day weekend...and one year a kooky kid at the teen table - King Munchie - who got in all sorts of trouble that week. And I still remember the line dance to the Car Wash. And hot dogs ala roushka on the salad bar... raw hot dogs mixed with some sort of relish stuff - who eats this! And the tooth..(don't ask, I won't tell).

Lived in Downers Grove IL when they put in the Shermans in the late 80s - before that we'd drive up to South Haven for ice cream. The staff of 77 had a 5 year reunion.

Had a bunch of photos I carried around for years. Just moved and decided they were too old, yellow and falling apart to keep carting around - so i just threw out my 1978 sunnybrook photos in January. Still have 77 though...

Its been really fun reading all this tonight. anyone out there from 77-78...?
Sandbox Sandy

Someone should make a documentary.

I think my very first time at SBF was '77. Then I missed 3 full years, and returned with a babe in arms in the summer of '81. We hit almost every year in the 1980's but 2 of them, I think. But none after '89 or so- which was the very last and when I also brought my parents. I can remember '82 especially well- because that's the year my DD pulled the coup of getting to the teen-ager table with her brother. She pulled off the stunt that they were twins (14 months apart- not even Irish twins)LOL! I caved.

Sandbox Sandy, you people COULD COOK.

I'm absolutely sure that SBF was the biggest quantity and best quality for that kind of family style eating that I have ever seen in my life. Not to mention the appetites that people worked up there! That must have been some workday!

Do any of the SunnyBrook Farm staff people here know how many people were at Sunnybrook during a week in July or August, for example? To me it is just mind-boggling- how the Ott family mastered that method with so many people and so much activity. And feed them 3 plus times a day, at the same time.
And for one inclusive cost! They must have been real taskmasters.

All of you had to work your butts off at least 12 or 14 hours a day. I observed that too! Thanks, all of you.

My DD slept at the Field Museum in Chicago with her 2 boys and Cub Scout Troup Friday night. They explored the top floor from 4am in the morning until they left much later- using flashlights- creeping around.

I never mentioned this thread and she happened to say yesterday.

"They think that this was a big adventure. The worst outcome was that someone lost his flashlight. Mom, this group was NOT Sunnybrook prepared- bravery wise, or adverse conditions wise. The wild animals were even stuffed."

And I did laugh. Because the part about adventure and bravery, oh SBF was an original.

I love the documentary idea...this whole site just makes me laugh and half cry at some of the memories coming back. One thing about SBF there was never a dull moment.

I started to think about the food - and remember having to ask people if they'd like "soup or oatmeal" for breakfast. The joke was "super oatmeal". I'm not remembering much about the food - sauerkraut & sausage and grilled cheese sandwiches is all that's coming back. (fortunately we didn't have to cook - Florence and Oneida were in the kitchen when I was there!)

I really felt like I'd never forget a minute about Sunny Brook, but its all pretty distant. I had my first beer at Fidelmans my first night there - and my first sloe gin fizz at the Phoenix...along with those awesome ham sandwiches.

Staff parties at the beach, and dancing at Coral Gables in Saugatuck are some of my favorite memories.

I loved that people would come every year the same week. I loved the little kids and families at my tables.

Oh yeah, and the teen lounge under the main house was still there the first year I worked there. And the phone booth. As staff we also cleaned rooms every Saturday after everyone checked out and at the end of the season. That was a highlight let me tell ya.

Good night SunnyBrookers!...

Gee it has been a long time since I have seen this many people talking about SunnyBrook Farm. I work there in the summers of 1969,70,71,and 72. I worked various jobs, nightwatchman, lifeguard, maintenance and in the kitchen. We werea big family with the Otts at the lead. All of us who worked there enjoyed all of the guest and their families. I just retired and moved to the Chicago area and hope to run in the some of the people that I met there. Jumpin Jimmy Budka works for TBS, I have been in contact with him in the past. Anybody reading this and you might have been at SunnyBrook any of those summers email me at chris.butler59@gmail.com

Well, I'm up way too late to still be looking at this stuff. Just posted on facebook, but after reading through this, had to do one memory.

Waiter from New York. Never let us use his very little car and always kept it locked. Last night of season, he drinks too much, passes out and leaves the car unlocked. There had to be 20 of us who pushed that thing with the steering wheel locked from the guys living stales to the inside of the dance hall. Never laughed so hard in my life.

I know that picture is somewhere. I will post when found on my return to Chicago. Look for it on the facebook group.

Oops, by the way. I was Tiger Tony then, much younger, much dumber, but I'd give a million for the energy I had with kids back then.

Can't believe I found this... I had my first away-from-home job at SBF in 1966, working as a maid and baby-sitter. Roomed with LouAnn from Missouri. The reason I found this thread was in wondering where Ed Pugh has gotten to, and his name came up in the search. Anyone keep up with him?

I remember the song Up On The Roof from that year, good weather, good food, teaching my roommate to drive a stick shift(borrowed Ed's car), and the sweet little girl I babysat.

I worked @ SB 1 summer ('89?). I lived/went to college in SD and found the job in a summer jobs catalog. It was a crazy place. Fun activities. I got to do lifeguard, do kids & teen activities, and go along on a couple senior outings. Crazy, imaginative staff gatherings happened after hours. I worked with Violet and "Bubbly Becky", and others that my memory fails to recall. When I talk about it, I do mention the Chicago cop patrons.

OMG! My paernts took my brother and i when i was a kid. 1967-1973. Wish i was old enough to go to the teen lounge!
I miss the breakfests in the hall. I especially miss going into the kitchen at night at grabbing some cookies

Wow....how I use to love going here I wish it was still around for my kids to go. My sister Tiffany and ,e use to love this place. The teen lounge.the haunted barn and the lepercan woods oh such great memories