This Old Mansion

By: John Bowling
(© 2013-2014 by the author)

The author retains all rights. No reproductions are allowed without the author's consent. Comments are appreciated at...

Chapter 3
"The Chicago Meeting with Intrigue" 

Dateline: Monday, March 12, 2013, Morning

Dorothy Manchester (Dot) narrating

Helen Oskar Incarbo-Vermillion maneuvers her battery powered wheelchair over to the table end and lifts her coffee to her lips. With her 92 years as a dynamic and energetic example of accomplishment, even when females were typically relegated to be only housewives, she exhibited no presence of being only the 'wife' of Andrew Vermillion, the man began and who drove the creation of their business empire with her considerable help. She was a total equal in all things around home life and business. Nor does she exhibit, around others who’s station in life is more common, any of the prevalent 'better than thou' attributes of many rich or otherwise influential people from her era. She was a very earthy woman who could do whatever she sets her mind to, and damn the repercussions among those who considered themselves elites or in control, while helping those in lesser stations in life, having created many ways to do so. We are not into philanthropy, where we would put a huge sum into a foundation and let hirelings manage it with little direction. We have people employed to work with the normal operations, after our team took it on themselves to select those recipients who could display a well justified need for support and useful products, after seed money for research. Many of those have become high quality suppliers for our current businesses and most have returned the support money.

There are several things that have kept us in Chicago. One is the central hub of the business, which Helen now feels does not require we stay in Chicago. She and I have also been on the boards of several non-profits, including 'Museum of Science and Industry' and the 'Chicago Art Museum', along with child care programs. Our business ties have kept us in Chicago, and now it is time to step out of running everything and do less from the location of the new project. It requires the help of myself and Manny, the newly discovered heir, and Cliff, his husband. Also, with Internet connections, we can attend meetings, using computers, and be just as effective, regardless of physical difficulties that may occur. Still to be located are a lesbian couple who are area residents and appropriate for raising kids with problems. We had leads but no confirmation yet.

This project is what lights Helen up and sustains her, providing her with a more exuberant life at a time when most would be retiring. Since the misdirected motor vehicle conflict had left her with reduced physical activity, she still gets around on crutches almost as quickly and well as a full bodied, healthy, 30-year-old. The chair, which she uses only when she has a day of meetings or on rough grounds, has been custom made by the company her husband started while he was still alive. Masterful Works, with a motto of "Continue to Live a Full Life", has built the chair which works very well for her. Without specifically saying so, and not with that specific intent, her use of it as she travels and attends meetings is a way of introducing the products of the company. Masterful Works produces prosthetic limbs and other items to contribute to the lives of all people, from an improved health support prospective. The name was not designed to inspire any religious context. What people often infer from the name is not the implied intent, which is to be the best devices for the tasks. There were also alterations made to this, our house, and the business offices, to make them more accessible for her and others using wheel chairs, crutches, or other forms of motion.

Bringing in the coffee service, I walk into the room where Helen is dictating into a computer microphone. I am generally the last person someone would think of as serving personnel, even when I am gracefully doing so and enjoying it. I bend to kiss Helen on the cheek. I had been hired as a secretary years ago to the company started by Helen's late husband, Andrew Vermillion. The company is still wholly privately owned, and now has three additional progressive companies under the Masterful Works corporate umbrella, along with real estate in several states. I was soon promoted, becoming the comptroller after five years. Helen and I grew to love each other, and when Andrew died, we became domestic partners, and married as soon as it became available, in Canada. We are now equal partners in the company, as co-chairs of the Board, which has three other members whom you have met, or will meet soon; family medical Doctor Chip Mandrake, Computer Scientist Frank Munts, and Jason Crowns, our adopted teen son, representing youth. Manny and Cliff are to be added to the board.

We both love kids, yet neither of us have any of our own. We have fostered over the years, but now all of our foster kids, save one, Jason, have completed college, and were either working or completing advanced degrees. Jason is just finishing high school, and will be going on to become a medical doctor. He is also gay, and was beaten and kicked out of his 'loving' religious family because of it while a younger teen. He has, since that time, taken up gymnastics, and while not a contender for the Olympics, has won state titles. It has also made him big enough so the bullies do not attempt anything, and he also protects anyone he sees getting bullied by engaging in a discourse with the bully so that he and the bully understand why he does it and what it does to others. He does not normally get physical, but does allow the perps to imagine what his developed muscles could do. He also has found a potential partner in Grant Thomas, who lives in the Woodard Lake area, and can't wait until we move there.

A week ago, the law firm, and the investigative team, completed their searching for heirs and a suitable male couple, along our specifications, discovering both in one couple, so we convened the initial meeting to discuss things. The caterers have arrived and are setting up the buffet as people are arriving at the house in Chicago. We did brief introductions, small talk, and socializing trip-recovery for an hour for those out-of-town, which included helping themselves to the lavish spread. I asked that we be seated, before we served ourselves at the buffet, while I precede the meeting with more detailed introductions. In addition to Helen, Jason, and myself; attendees at the business dinner are:

Marge McGayhill, manager of the McGee, Dunback, and Offhill law firm in Chicago. 

Thomas Kline, a private family practice lawyer in Traverse City and his partner (recently married and living together while fostering four teen brothers), Dr. Chip Mandrake, general practitioner medical doctor and board member. Rumors of them having met years ago while playing Dr. Frankenstein and Igor with the Cherry County Playhouse in Traverse City are true. Only the names of other actors were changed to protect the guilty, oops, innocent! 'Twas a bit of a farce!

Manheim Oscar Darnell (Manny), a farmer and computer programmer who lives a few miles from the old hotel, and married to Cliff Miles, who works part-time on the farm next to his husband.

George Galenhat, a neighboring farmer who works with Manny on computer programming, and for whom Cliff does farm work.

Daniel Ostenstein, a building structural engineer and contractor from Traverse City.

Mrs. Margaret Trimboc, head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (IDCFS).

Also joining the discussion, by internet video conference, from Michigan are:

Jerry Appleman, Lansing, state head of the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS)

Mrs. Lucille Smith, Traverse City, MDHS, Child care specialist, Grand Traverse County

Mrs. Marie Longfield, Cadillac, MDHS, Child care specialist, Wexford County

To begin, I'll provide for you a bit of history of the decrepit old hotel designed like a mansion. Today's meeting is about turning it into a child and elderly care facility. We will have lots of time to discuss it throughout the afternoon. This bit of history first:

Helen and Andrew had honeymooned many years ago in Michigan, taking a passenger train from Chicago to a small depot near an old hotel that was started by a railroad tycoon. Even in those romantic train days, only one Pullman car twice a week, and several freight trains servicing lumber and other goods, at other stations along the run. The hotel was not a typical tourist location, in part due to very poor dirt or gravel roads, and most people still riding horses or using horse drawn carriages. Over the years, those roads were paved, becoming highways, with sections where they went through swampy land. Tree trunks were placed down first, under the paving. That became a problem with the wood rotting out, so it is now fully filled with gravel. The hotel is within a reasonable driving distance to Cadillac, MI, Caberfae Peaks, Interlochen Center for the Arts, (http://www.interlochen.org/), Traverse City, and the Sugar Loaf ski area, which closed a decade ago. It is not close enough to any major city to be a tourist mecca even after most people have that new fangled automobile and paved roads.

The old two track road into the hotel was only improved with gravel, initially to promote people riding trains, and later due to lack of funds. Some people enjoyed its remoteness as a getaway without total isolation. Helen and I also went there for our honeymoon, still able to use the train on a special run, even though the place was well over a hundred years old and mostly deserted when we stayed there. It still has the old charm, and all the problems unique to an ancient building that did not get effective care or updates. It was not quite abandoned, with a caretaker, Joe Young, who doubled as a guard, but little has been done to maintain it. Joe, though in his 70's still works there, even though almost no one visits. With the gas lighting, no electricity, and no running water, however quaint, it is almost to the point of being unsafe, and certainly far from modern standards. Those are, in fact, many reasons why, shortly after our honeymoon, it was no longer licensed to do business. What preserved it better than anything else was that people either never knew about it, or forgot it. While the depot is still there beside the tracks, and freight cars run a few times a week, there are no scheduled passenger runs. The only exceptions are the trips that Helen and I make. The old road into it is overgrown and has had little use for many years, with rugged vehicles only.

In a recent visit there, Helen remarked after arriving: "Dot, love, I have dreams about this wonderful old place, as you've known for years. It has great charm, is ancient, even more so than we are, and that is saying a lot. I feel the need to do something that makes our lives even more worth living, a retirement without giving up anything we love doing. That is to have this place become a living icon to wonderful and proper loving and caring of both unwanted kids and the elderly. For those forsaken by their families, their churches, and society in general, where the kids can grow up in a loving environment, to be useful citizens, and the elderly can live happy with what remains of their time, and be rejuvenated by the exuberance of youth. Both groups will receive the love, care, and guidance that makes life worth living, and they can, for the others, be the new, caring, family that was ripped from all of them by uncaring or departed people."

I replied: "Are you thinking, as I am, of kids who have been kicked out of their families and might otherwise be homeless on top of unwanted? Similar to Jason, and most of the ones that we have fostered? We can and will see that those similarly disenfranchised are welcomed and moved into a caring new family group before they become disenchanted and react in a bad way. Also those elderly who are capable of being grand parents but whose families are too far across the country or do not want to care for them? Wonderful idea! Yes, we must do this. I will support it fully at your side."

"Yes, we have the resources to do it, along with the desire. We both love kids, and those we fostered have grown and have established their own life, save Jason, who will do so after college. I really miss them, as I'm sure you do. We do have foster family reunions, but that's never quite the same as having younger kids around. There must be lots out there who could use help rather than being stuffed in crowded, detention hovels that were deliberately designed to hide them from uncaring, 'decent' society with no thought to having them become worthwhile, contributing members of society."

"Absolutely! Have you spoken of this with anyone else?"

Helen stood and said: "I have put feelers out there to the state of Michigan, just to see their response, through our lawyers who are checking into everything. I am also having them locate distant heirs, and if necessary, pick some people from the area who are suitable to work with us and take over when we, ourselves, are no longer capable of the day-to-day operations. Do you remember the two guys we met at the lake a couple of miles from the old place? They were having a commitment ceremony in the park, and they live together on a small farm. I believe their names are Manny and Cliff, and I've concluded that they have the capability and integrity to manage this project for us, with specialized help. The lawyers and investigative team are checking into their backgrounds and to see if they are a part of either of our families, and are suitable for this monuments task. I fully intend, if things work out, for them to be the ones who become the heirs, along with the trust funds for our own fostered kids, and other heirs the lawyers locate.

"We do have a lot of people who can work with us, but an heir or two would be useful for future continuity. Actually, I want three couples, one — gay males, one — lesbian, and one — a male/female couple, all of whom have taken their vows to become married or at least domestic partners, and have the general disposition and training to have it work well. Distant relatives would be great if that could happen. Imagine us as grandparents, and perhaps we need to retire there ourselves."

"No ‘perhaps’ about that. I love it; let's do it!" I hugged and kissed her.

Dot went on to tell them her description of and preliminary concepts for the property:

"We checked with our real estate division, and the property, because of its decrepit and ancient condition and our request, had been bought several years ago for just the land value, as an investment. There are a total of four square miles of land, in several, many connected but not in one big plot, that was thought to be part of the Manistee National Forest until we had it surveyed. The real value was in the land, and much of it now has large, first and second growth hardwoods, maples and oaks, with lots of pine, and some poplar. We have offered to let a lumbering company remove most of the timber from about 200 acres, nearly clear cutting 50 acres around the hotel, for a fee, and providing us with quality lumber for the rebuilding process. The company would also clean up the remaining land, harvesting about twenty percent of the largest trees over years, as an ongoing project. The final accepted bid included hauling the scrub brush and limbs that were not of lumber grade, to companies that make use of wood scraps, including a Kraft paper mill in Manistee, and return enough quality wood to build the required buildings. A contractor from Traverse City was selected to build and/or rebuild the buildings, using local people for the labor. Also, whenever possible, to recycle materials, including some not normally thought to be good for building, and to finish them in a close to natural appearance.

"Also, knowing the old hotel would not be suitable for habitation without a lot of work, and could eventually be torn down to avoid any potential fire problems, we commissioned a realistic model to be made by Ty Wolf, Tim Curtis, and Aaron (Ace) (created by author Jess Mercer in "The Model Builder"). Also, we had designed and are nearly ready to proceed with construction of several buildings. One will have a large commercial kitchen, and a dining facility where up to two hundred people could dine at the same time. That building would also have sports facilities in the basement, a room for basketball or volley ball, an Olympic size swimming pool with trained life guards, a social room that could be used for assorted games, computers, and movies. A medical facility was due to start construction soon, including a decontamination facility to eliminate pests or medical problems that potential guests may have picked up before arriving, and treatments for other problems including limited detox. There was also to be a veterinarian facility for the various pets and farm animals. Many of the facilities would be available to local area residents when not in use for the care center residents. They would need to register, and sign in with each visit.

"There are to be, initially, four residential buildings, each with eight bedrooms for the kids or seniors, equipped for sleeping two per room or bed if the residents want that. Also, a bedroom for the dorm parents or counselors. Each bedroom is to have en suite full baths, walk-in closets, a computer, TV, and another room with kitchenette for snacks. Additionally, suitable buildings would house electronic and biological/chemical labs, and wood and metal shop equipment. All of those would be moderated by licensed teachers. The companies now owned by Helen, Dot, Manny, and Cliff would provide personnel and equipment, initially as construction facilities, and later as both training facilities and maintenance. Another building was an extensive library with current engineering and hobby projects, and many of the classic literature from the hotel as examples of old methods. Other building would be a clubhouse, hobby facilities, a Maker DIY (do it yourself) facility, and meeting rooms.

"Trips will be planned for future events: Snow skiing, skating, and snowmobiling, hiking in the woods, mushrooming, fruit and vegetable picking, river rafting and fishing, exploring light houses, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, hiking trails, various festivals, etc. all in the appropriate seasons. The residents are to be warned every year, before hunting seasons, about wandering outside of the grounds, and to wear proper colored clothing of seasonal types."

”There are a lot of things to consider about the place. I'm sure the facilities will be the best that can be built, and we must have several people who are very good with kids and the elderly. I know a few who could be considered, and I'm sure that there are others your investigators have found. Can someone on the investigation team meet with myself and Cliff at least weekly until the facility is ready for residents? Also, we would like weekly reports about the construction," Manny requested of those present.

"Excellent, that can be arranged. I will have them call you to set up the first meeting," Helen said. "And you should also have regular meetings with the local MDHS, both Child Care and Adult Services. I'm sure they have some immediate need for placements, if suitable facilities can be setup."

Mr. Ostenstein: "We can have temporary buildings brought in to house a limited number in just a few days. We will have two constructed resident halls and the dining facilities ready in a few months. The hotel reconstruction will take at least a year. We will go over that when we all meet at the site."

Mrs. Lucille Smith: "I am all for this facility and look forward to moving some of our current children. And yes, we have current need for ten kids now. Knowing some of the people involved, I know this will be one of the best homes available in the country."

Mrs. Marie Longfield: "We have four for immediate placement, and we can keep them temporarily. I do, however have some reservations about the safety given the people who are to be in charge. I want to have some assurance before we transfer very many."

"Marie, we will talk about this soon, and, knowing many of these people, I can assure you that every precaution will be taken. In fact, I am even considering having an office for MDHS there with a full time person."

"Lucille, being in Wexford country, it falls into my territory."

"Yes, Marie, but the potential quantity of resident needs will require those with utmost care and concern."

"Ladies, these things can be discussed at our meeting. This is not the place to hang our laundry out on the line for everyone to see. I foresee the facility, provided proper staffing, to have residents from many parts of Michigan, and probably Chicago and from other states as well," Mr. Appleman interjected.

"Cliff and I will have discourses with Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Longfield several times over the next year and ongoing. We will create a space for an office for MDHS at the facility and welcome MDHS staffing to assure we are doing our jobs correctly. Perhaps you two could work out a schedule to share it."

The meeting was adjourned, and after lunch, Helen called a meeting for the family with the lawyers present. The people whom Helen and Dot had fostered over the years were not able to leave their jobs to attend, but did have someone present, either a family member, or a financial or legal person to represent them. They would return home with printed minutes and a recording of the session, as well as any checks or legal documents. The documentation would be provided for every family member shortly after they completed the meeting.

Ken Prince, a thirty-three-year-old male walked in, arriving in a huff. He had married Susan, one of their fostered girls. His personality was one where he was better than anyone, even through he could rarely keep a job or friends. Susan had been abused by him. Any talents he had were not obvious, and most of his jobs were being a loader at the docks or a truck driver. They tried, but as a spouse and not a fostered child, nothing that Helen, Dot, or professionals did could break down whatever damage had been done to him as a child by his fully abusive father and unconcerned mother. He was unlucky enough that it was not realized by others early enough, and by fifteen, he was stuck with the results of having been mentally beaten by the abusiveness of his father constantly provoking fights. He had survived and recovered physically, but was an angry man. He did not have Susan with him when he showed up.

"Well, lookie here. A bunch of do-gooders preparing to waste the money that should be mine!"

Helen: "Ken, Susan has her share available to her only. You will be unable to touch that money unless Susan gives you some of it.

"So I get shafted just like my parents did to me!"

"No, you will share in Susan's amount per the government's marriage rules, for as long as you are still married to her."

He growled, and walked over the liquor cabinet and demanded they open it, then slammed his fist into the glass, shattering it, reached in and grabbed a bottle of whiskey. As he did so, the alarm triggered a mild Taser shock to him, and called the police. His arm was cut in a few places as he jerked it back, and the men grabbed him and wrapped belts around his arms and legs. The police took him to a hospital, and then booked him. Later, Helen would request the judge place him in a rehab facility but not charge him with any crime.

"Okay, let's get on with this meeting. Normally, when someone is deceased, there is a reading of the will. While no one is recently deceased, we are giving you the information that is in the recently updated will, and beginning disbursement of items. If that adversely effects personal taxes, we will pay the difference.

"All the people we raised will be have, after an initial amount of one hundred thousand dollars, an automatic five thousand dollars deposited to their bank every month, and will be able to draw more provided they prove need. This occurs every month until their death. Along with that, we will let them pick out a home from this list, that we will deed over to them. Taxes and insurance are paid, when due, by the fund. Title is free and clear for them to live there, sell, or rent out.

"You just heard what every fostered or adopted person we have raised is receiving. It is possible that some may desire to be, or will be requested to join the staff of the new care center. Feel free to choose based on your desires. To choose none will not rule you out of future possibilities.

"Manny is a distant blood relative we recently connected with and now a respected member of the family, along with Cliff, his legally married husband. They have shown themselves to be very thorough and caring for people and bring several skills that are useful. They will be managing a property for the care of kids and the elderly. They are to be co-owners, with myself and Dot, of that property as well as all other companies and properties we currently own, and will carry on after we are gone. The companies have excellent staff who are doing very well, and we expect them to stay in their positions. There will be two other couples working with management of the care center along with them, but not as owners. I know we have not covered a lot of things, but we will go over important items at weekly meetings at the new care center, when we can include additional staff."

"We will be traveling to the site of the old mansion and hotel in the near future. Several areas need cleanup by crews who are there now, after the logging crews have removed several trees. The logging will  continue after the hotel area is clear. Also, the drive into it is rutted — part gravel, part sand and debris. It will be paved, and a new fence will be put in around the area where people reside. We will maintain decent security with electric gates and video cameras.

"We will be arriving in time to have an Independence Day celebration with all the neighbors and crews. We will provide rides on the WLS train between our depot and the depot in Cadillac, provided permits are approved. The meeting is concluded. Thank you to all of our guests, and to all the people who worked to have it happen.

To be continued...

Author's note: A big "Thank You" to Gerry Young for his excellent editing. He eliminates a lot of hiccups my addled mind and misguided fingers smudge onto the page.

Posted: 01/17/14