Holiday House
 |  |  |  |
| GFS/PA President, Angie Myshko receives proclamation from Cape May Mayor, Dr. Edward J. Mahaney, Jr. |
| GFS officers, and Holiday House managers, past & present came to celebrate! |
| 100 years of Faith, Fun, and Fellowship... |
Friends gather to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Holiday House (1910 - 2010)!
September 24, 2011, a beautiful Fall day in
Cape May. Friends and neighbors gathered
at Holiday House to wish the old girl a
Happy 100th!
GFS members, sponsors, and supporters
were there to proudly lead tours about the
house. Each guide embellished on her/his
own experience and those of family and
friends. Newcomers to the House listened
intently to the joyful memories from the
youngest members to those who had
vacationed for a lifetime of summers.
The celebration included music provided by
GFS member/harpist, Edith Dirsch; a buffet
of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and
desserts by Chef Ruth Johnson, Holiday
House staff member and owner of Seasons
Catering Service of Ardmore, PA., and a very
large cup of warmth from our
innkeeper/host, Timothy Bobb.
Leaders and parents brought young
members from all of the Delaware Valley!
The day allowed another great opportunity
for our GFS families to enjoy the House,
linger along the beach, and take advantage
of the season's end sales on Washington
Street Mall!
I enjoyed the hospitality of our famous front
porch and rocked away hours of
conversation with good friends!
Cape May. Friends and neighbors gathered
at Holiday House to wish the old girl a
Happy 100th!
GFS members, sponsors, and supporters
were there to proudly lead tours about the
house. Each guide embellished on her/his
own experience and those of family and
friends. Newcomers to the House listened
intently to the joyful memories from the
youngest members to those who had
vacationed for a lifetime of summers.
The celebration included music provided by
GFS member/harpist, Edith Dirsch; a buffet
of scrumptious hors d'oeuvres and
desserts by Chef Ruth Johnson, Holiday
House staff member and owner of Seasons
Catering Service of Ardmore, PA., and a very
large cup of warmth from our
innkeeper/host, Timothy Bobb.
Leaders and parents brought young
members from all of the Delaware Valley!
The day allowed another great opportunity
for our GFS families to enjoy the House,
linger along the beach, and take advantage
of the season's end sales on Washington
Street Mall!
I enjoyed the hospitality of our famous front
porch and rocked away hours of
conversation with good friends!
| A Great Party! |
Proclamation
100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLIDAY HOUSE
WHEREAS, the Girls Friendly society is an international, non-profit
organization ,affiliated with the Episcopal Church, for girls and women from
the ages of seven to twenty-one years of any race, religion or nationality; and
WHEREAS, the Girls Friendly Society provides a Christian-based support
system that focuses on the emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of its
members so that the girls and young women have a better understanding of
themselves and their relationship with
God, family, each other, community, and the world; and
WHEREAS, the Girls Friendly Society has owned Holiday House on Hughes
Street in the City of Cape May since 1896 and purchased the current Holiday
House at 644 Hughes Street in 1910; and
WHEREAS, since 1910, the Holiday House on Hughes Street has been run
by the Girls Friendly Society and offers girls from nine to fourteen years old a
summer vacation at the shore; and
WHEREAS, the Holiday House on Hughes Street has become deeply
intertwined with the values and character of the City of Cape May and
participates as a major contributor in the City's historical, arts, culture and
recreational heritage.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Dr. Edward J. Mahaney,
Jr., do award this Proclamation to the Girls Friendly Society Holiday House a
recognition and with the full gratitude for 100 consecutive years of dedication,
professionalism, and public service in mentoring young women with the
positive guidance to develop the requisite skills to contribute to society as
responsible, mature and educated adults.
[The document was signed by Dr. Mahaney and affixed with the seal of the
City of Cape May]
100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE HOLIDAY HOUSE
WHEREAS, the Girls Friendly society is an international, non-profit
organization ,affiliated with the Episcopal Church, for girls and women from
the ages of seven to twenty-one years of any race, religion or nationality; and
WHEREAS, the Girls Friendly Society provides a Christian-based support
system that focuses on the emotional, physical, and spiritual growth of its
members so that the girls and young women have a better understanding of
themselves and their relationship with
God, family, each other, community, and the world; and
WHEREAS, the Girls Friendly Society has owned Holiday House on Hughes
Street in the City of Cape May since 1896 and purchased the current Holiday
House at 644 Hughes Street in 1910; and
WHEREAS, since 1910, the Holiday House on Hughes Street has been run
by the Girls Friendly Society and offers girls from nine to fourteen years old a
summer vacation at the shore; and
WHEREAS, the Holiday House on Hughes Street has become deeply
intertwined with the values and character of the City of Cape May and
participates as a major contributor in the City's historical, arts, culture and
recreational heritage.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Mayor Dr. Edward J. Mahaney,
Jr., do award this Proclamation to the Girls Friendly Society Holiday House a
recognition and with the full gratitude for 100 consecutive years of dedication,
professionalism, and public service in mentoring young women with the
positive guidance to develop the requisite skills to contribute to society as
responsible, mature and educated adults.
[The document was signed by Dr. Mahaney and affixed with the seal of the
City of Cape May]
Worship In The Chapel A Service of Evening Prayer, taken from The Book of Common Prayer 1892 was celebrated in the Chapel. Presiding, was Rev. Liz Colton, GFS/PA & USA Chaplain. Reverend Liz is a long-time supporter of Holiday House! She has been coming to the House since 1995 as both a guest and a working associate. We all enjoy her meaningful sermons and musical ability to make us feel like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir...well, at least the alto section. An Episcopal Religious Order, The Society of St. Margaret, built the Chapel before they sold the House at 644 Hughes Street to the Girls Friendly Society in 1910. |
The Book of Common Prayer, 1892, was the second prayer book produced
in the United States. It would have been the prayer book used by the Sisters
of St. Margaret. And, would have been used by the Girls Friendly Society until
the next one was issued in 1928.
(Information taken from the service pamphlet used September 24, 2011)
| Fall decorations on Hughes Street! |
| Rev. Liz Colton in turn of the century cassock. Angie Myshko and Liz get ready for services. |
| HOLIDAY HOUSE Is Funded Solely By Donations! The cost of keeping our beloved Holiday House open for future generations is increasing each year. A small group of women of faith, family members, and friends of Holiday House work to maintain the property, underwrite the costs associated with running our summer programs for the girls, and keeping our business and social obligations to our neighbors on Hughes Street and the community of Cape May. Much of the summer is dedicated to groups of GFS girls and friends spending a one week vacation/retreat. For most of the girls, it is the only opportunity they have to enjoy the shore, build on their faith, and experience the fellowship for which Holiday House is best known! The donations we receive from others staying at the House during the season aren't enough to cover expenses. We rely on fund raising events and private donations to make up the difference. This year we are asking for help by encouraging anyone who has stayed at the House, has a family member in GFS or simply wants to become a "Friend of Holiday House" to donate what they can. Any contribution is welcomed! Make checks payable to: GFS/PA Sponsors Attn: J. Almont, Chair Box 33 Concordville, PA 19331 We are a 501C-3 Non-profit Organization Enclose a SSA envelope for receipt. |
Beautiful Cape May!
