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!
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]

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!