A Home Away From Home
Cheryl Wescher (right) reconnects with a family during a reunion that she hosted in Emanuel Lodge.
Over ten years ago, Cheryl Wescher and her family got a call from the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame inquiring about the family of her uncle Lewis Reimann, who was being inducted that year. Although not in contact with those relatives at that time, they set the Hall of Fame in the right direction to find a grandson of Lewis. Later that year, a group of relatives all attended the induction ceremony, both to honor Lewis Reimann, but also to see who they were related to. This meeting proved to be fruitful in bringing this family together and they decided to gather more regularly, enacting a biennial reunion.
Through the years the reunion has shifted locations, ultimately landing at Fortune Lake. The Reimann Family held their reunion at camp once before the pandemic when they had to put a hold on any gatherings. When it was safe to get together again, the group wasn’t sure if they would return to hosting the gatherings. Ultimately, they decided to try it for another year and return to Fortune Lake to host the event. In the end, the reunion was a great success. There were familiar faces amongst the group and relatives who had not yet had the chance to meet, all arriving from various parts of the country.
Cheryl cites that some of the group’s favorite parts about Fortune Lake were things that ring true for so many people: the truly stunning beauty of the landscape, the ability to connect with each other while also stepping away to explore the site, and the feeling of being at home away from home. She and her siblings grew up on the other side of the lake, so there truly is an element of familiarity in the natural surroundings at camp. The opportunity to reconnect with each other, connect with the staff that hosted them, and the ease of being able to celebrate family while not having to worry about regular household chores made for an incredibly life-giving experience.
Cheryl and her family already plan to return to Fortune Lake next year for a longer stay in order to explore the Upper Peninsula and spend more time together. She includes that seeing the growth of camp throughout the years has been incredible. For year-round staff, it is a blessing to see groups like the Reimann Family Reunion use the facilities to celebrate love and community throughout the year. Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp continues to be a place that fosters connection for all those who come here.
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