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18 -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Wed. August 7, 1985 Seven Mile Island Resort Reg Teeney knew from the start that a big part of his new job would be public relations. The 47 year old Mr. Teeney was hired back in June to get the Seven Mile Island Resort and Island Restaurant open for business once again, and on its feet financially. : When he arrived at the well known property on the east shore of Lake Scugog, about seven miles north of Port Perry, the place was badly in neglect. The grass was several feet high, the flower beds over-grown with weeds, the main lodge, guest cottages and restaurant in need of a thorough sprucing up. Mr Teeney went to work, hired local students for cleaning up the grounds and staff for the restaurant and lodge. By July 19, they were ready to greet Qe first diners since the previous owners abruptly shut the place down late last summer. "I'm determined to make this place pay for itself,"' Mr. Teeney told the Star in an interview at Seven Mile Island Resort last week. He says he doesn't know who the new owners are. He was hired by lawyers acting for the owners and the receivers, given a substantial budget to get the doors open and a mandate to turn the resort into a successful year round operation catering to winter and summer sports en- thusiasts, small business conferences and meetings, or anybody who just wants to enjoy a few quiet days and nights on this truly unique pro- perty on the edge of Lake Scugog. But his first job was to get the 80 seat restaurant open and start attracting patrons who would be impressed enough to make a return visit He says he's pleased with the way things have turned out after the first three weeks The lunch business has been steady and the dinner trade, especially bn the weekends, has been brisk The diming room 1s located in what used to be a large home, )ust steps from the main lodge Fully licenced, the dining room 1s elegant without being over: bearing, the decor finish ed in soft pastel shades The menu offers several basic entres-ribs, steak, chicken, beef, pork and fresh rainbow trout with appetizers, and the prices are reasonable The most ex- pensive dinner on the menu is surf and turf (12 oz steak) at $24 95 And the overnight ac commodation bookings are starting to increase as well, says Mr Teeney There are eight cot- tages and ten guest rooms in the main lodge, with the resort being able to handle about 40 over- night guests in comfort They are set on spacious grounds, with numerous flower beds, walkways, statues, foun- tains, lovely mature trees, a heated swimm- ing pool, even an old style boathouse on the water's edge that's been turned into a pub called O'Malleys. Seven Mile Island is one of the most famous pieces of property in the Scugog area. It is linked to the main Scugog Island by a long causeway built more than 60 years ago when the property fell into the hands of Andrew Wilson, a wealthy cigar maker and importer. He built what is now the main lodge, added the swimming pool, hired the same stone masons who built Casa Loma in Toronto, and ac- cording to some, the place became the scene for lavish parties for the wealthy who used to ar- rive by limousine. In the 1940's the place changed hands as a clothing manufacturer bought it, and for a while during World War 2, it was said to be a refuge for Jewish children from Europe. In 1958, the property was bought by Paddy Harrison who had made a fortune in mining anc construction. He adde« the guest cottages a: homes for his children the numerous fountain and a greenhouse fo nearly 30,000 plants. Mr. Harrison sold th place two years ago, an the new owners made th first attempt to change into a resort. The lodge and dinin room were opened a yes ago July, but then shi abruptly at the end « August, apparently di to lack of workin capital. It went into receive ship, was bought by ne owners, who in tur hired Mr. Teeney to gt it started again. Mr. Teeney, with a extensive background i. the travel industry restaurant business anc other ventures describes himself as an en: The Seven Mile Island Resort and Island Restaurant has opened its doors for business once again. The manager of the 80 seat dining room is Judy Casteels. Resort manager Reg Teeney says hard work and strict trepreneur, an idea man. He admits that he initial- ly was only to work until Christmas of this year to get the place going again, but changed his mind and is now staying to manage the resort year round. He believes it's a natural for cross country skiers and snowmobilers in the winter months. And he is already work- ing on plans to put in two squash and two racquet ball courts, complete with a fitness gym, whirlpools and a lounge in a huge barn located on the property. The guest cottages and rooms in the main lodge have all been renovated and equipped with new furniture, and he's delighted that the book- ings are picking up for August. One group that will be staying at the Resort are several blind golfers who will be play- ing their annual tourna- ment at Pine Ridge course this coming weekend. Mr Teeney 1s confi- AT IT'S BEST! Call for a quote on your needs large or small! Planning Your Wedding? Don't let the high costs put a cloud over your day We have menus to suit any occasion -- frem '7.50/ person. COUNTRY STYLE COOKIN' AL'S CATERING Weddings & Anniversaries - Qur Specialities ae 434-8520 WHITBY-OSHAWA HONDA 1110 Dundas Street East -- Whithy, Ontario SALES - SERVICE - LEASING NEW & USED CARS Nod Call... Kevin Cannon 666-1772 residence 985-2515 686-1745 re Gm FTE RE on SC FE SE dent that with hard work, strict attention to per- sonal service and good food in the restaurant, the Resort can become a going concern, and an asset to the local area. "Our job now is to at- tract people here, show Li heh Se SiR ae a 2 j details) them what we can do and get them to come back for another visit,"" he said. The resort has already been the scene for an out- door art show by a group from Oshawa that was very well attended, and Mr. Teeney says he has several other plans in the works to get the attention of both the local public and out of town visitors. To get to Seven Mile Resort, take Scugog Island Road 7 to 11th Concession and turn left. ES a fo © * ~ Payoff La attention to service will be the keys in putting the Scugog Island tourist attraction back on its feet. (See story for Follow the road to the distinctive gate with posts in the shape of cigars (thanks to Mr. Wilson, the cigar magnate) then follow the causeway for about a mile. For Frank, seeing sibling more thrilling than tea by Elizabeth Kelly When Frank and Jen- nie Bailey of Blackstock travelled to England this spring they did what most tourists do but one event on their timetable was much more mem- orable for Frank. No, they didn't have tea with the Queen or brunch with Margaret Thatcher. For Frank, seeing his brother and sisters was just as thrilling as either lunch. This spring he was reunited with his sister, Annie Adams of Tilehurst for the first time in seventy years. As well, Frank saw his brother, Fred of Swindon and sister, Daisy of Thornton after a separa- tion of sixty-one years and sister, Florence Choules Hungerford after a 'mere' thirty years Frank and Jennie also visited his sister, LLouisz Clarke, Broad ¥ oid Cottage, both whom he has seen several times through the years. This amazing reunion all started this past Christmas when Allan, Frank and Jennie's son gave his parents two tickets to England. With travel no longer an ex- cuse, the two Blackstock residents packed their bags and were ready for the momentous occasion. Frank had kept in touch with his siblings through the years but was still understandably eager to see them in person again after so long. Except for a few visits by Louisa and one by Florence nearly thirty years ago, this family hadn't seen each other for sixty one years. Frank was one in a family of ten children who were split up after the death of his mother. His father was a farmer who felt that he could care for only five of the ten so he made the dif- ficult decision to send the others to homes. Frank was sent to a home run HK MK MIC THK MIC J : THAPAR | A : DENTURE THERAPY CLINIC 3 66 Brock St. W., 194 King St. W., Uxbridge 852-5291 Oshawa 579-8752 |) 214 Dundas St. E., x Whitby 668-7797 Open Weekdays including SUNDAY! ¥ -- By Appointment Only -- | MK MK HK HKCHKC by Dr. Barnardos in Kent where he lived until his fifteenth birthday. At this time he was unable to find employment in England so he boarded a ship and set sail for Canada. He was Motors and never looked back. Since that time, back. Since that time, Frank married his wife, Jennie, raised a son and settled in Blackstock. Seeing his family after so long was certainly the highlight of Frank's trip but like any other traveller he agrees '""There's really no place like home." ANNOUNCEMENT Dr Jim Brown is pleased to announce the appoint ment of Dr Susan Emond to his staff at the Scugog Animal Hospital Dr Emond 1s a June graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph Recently from Mississauga, Susan is the daughter of Dorothea and Robert Emond She enjoys riding and showing horses and 1s also active in the Rover pection of the Boy Scouts of Canada