1Elk Rapids NewsAugust 3, 2017

PHOTO BY klwNEWSNEWS ELK RAPIDSELK RAPIDS

Volume XII Issue No. 10

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August 3 2017

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ELK RAPIDS, MIPERMIT NO. 10

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SERVING THE ELK RAPIDS ALDEN KEWADIN RAPID CITY EASTPORT TORCH RIVER BRIDGE WILLIAMSBURG ACME AREAS

BY BARB MOSHER , CONTR IBUT ING WR ITER

After 30 years of marriage and a couple of decades restoring homes and managing properties, Lisa Grise and Carl Fromholz know a thing or two about working together. That’s a good thing, because they’re in the midst of their biggest undertaking yet.

The two are breathing new life and love into Paradise Pines Resort, a set of Elk Rapids guest cottages built nearly 7 0 years ago by another couple, Lyle and Wilma Paradise, on fi ve acres along South Bayshore Drive.

“We had our eyes on it for a while; we kept driving by,” said Carl, who, with Lisa, ran the Country Hermitage Bed and Breakfast a few miles south of the village from 2004 to 2016.

The temptation to rejuvenate the cottages, which had been sold off in the early 1990s and turned into year-round rentals before being abandoned, proved too much for the couple to resist. They liquidated rental homes they owned in Idaho, and last summer a “Sold” sign marked the beginning of a new era for Paradise Pines.

The decision was not without risk. There was no guarantee that village and county-governing entities would allow them to renovate and operate the units again as weekly summer rentals. However, they quickly discovered the support and encouragement they needed from both.

“They’ve embraced us and have been nothing but helpful,” Carl said.

So, he and Lisa rolled up their sleeves and began digging into their newest venture. Last fall, rock retaining walls were added behind the cottages, new water lines were installed, dead and dying trees were removed, and several buildings were re-roofed. They are now gutting interiors, scraping and painting exteriors, stripping and re-glazing windows, adding insulation and working with builders, electricians, plumbers and excavators to bring the property up to current safety codes.

Whenever and wherever possible, they’re keeping or repurposing original materials. That includes buying, relocating and restoring two buildings from an adjacent former resort, as well as dismantling and saving wood from others.

Carl Fromholz and Lisa Grise, and their dog, Gemma, are bringing Paradise Pines Resort back to life. Restoration of rental units is underway with the goal of welcoming guests next summer. Photo by Barb Mosher

Paradise Pines will welcome travelers once again“What these cottages were built from, the quality of the

lumber, you can’t get that anymore,” Lisa said. “We don’t want to take out anything we don’t have to.”

As the resurrection of Paradise Pines becomes increasingly evident to passersby, feedback has been favorable, even enthusiastic.

“At least half a dozen times a day, people wave or stop by,” Lisa said. “People love this place. They honk and shout ‘Great job!’ It makes you feel good while you’re painting.”

The self-professed workaholics like to joke that they work half-days: If they can’t get it done in 12 hours, they stop. Division of labor has evolved naturally over the years. Lisa has the designer’s eye so she determines layouts and color schemes. She also excels in tile work, painting and landscaping. Carl specializes in carpentry, focusing on fl ooring, siding and roofi ng.

“We look at things individually, but we do a lot together,” he said. “We have a rule that if we don’t agree, we talk some more and come up with the best solution.”

As renovations progress, all cottages will experience 21st century upgrades including air conditioning, heating, and bathrooms. Most will include kitchens although a few of the smallest ones will remain as effi ciencies.

“We have to think of every square inch and use the space wisely,” Lisa said of the cottages, which vary in size from 200 to 800 square feet. “We want to have a range of reasonable price points with a variety of amenities.”

Every unit will be uniquely furnished with a mix of contemporary, vintage, and retro décor that the couple enjoys tracking down. They are aiming for what Lisa calls “a rustic modern feel, comfortable but nostalgic – we like simple and uncluttered.”

The goal is to have four of the bigger cottages ready for next summer, three as rentals and one for themselves as the on-site managers. They look forward to offering a peaceful vacation experience for couples and families yearning for simpler times. Carl visualizes a reincarnation of life in the 1960s, a place where people can disconnect from technology and reconnect with each other. His wife agrees.

“Elk Rapids has so much charm,” she said. “We want to fi t in with this town where there’s enough going on but not too much.”

One thing at Paradise Pines that Carl and Lisa are still

considering how best to steward is the 12-foot tall metal and neon sign that beckoned travelers to a tranquil stay beneath towering white pines for 50 years. Lisa says it needs some attention to prevent further deterioration, but just how much is up for discussion.

“Everyone loves the sign,” Carl said. “People stop and take pictures of it. We could restore it completely, but it brings more attention if we just leave it alone as much as possible. People are fascinated by it.”

You can follow the progress of the work on Paradise Pines Resort on Facebook. If you have memories or photos of the resort that you would like to share, Carl and Lisa encourage you to stop by or email them at paradisepinesresort@gmail.com.