By DeAnn Lubell and Tanya Martin-Yee
A few decades ago, when I was president of the National League of American Pen Women Palm Springs Branch, I became good friends with a fellow member, the late Coachella Valley resident Irene March-Davison. I’m not sure how the subject came up, but one day we started talking about the movie Somewhere in Time (SIT).
Excitedly, I expounded that it was one of my top favorite films. It was then that Irene told me about her daughter, Jo Addie, who had been an extra in the movie and who had started a publication called INSITE (International Network of Somewhere In Time Enthusiasts). Fans of SIT could sign up as members to receive issues featuring wonderful behind-the-scenes stories and photos, as well as interesting background information about the romantic time-travel tale. One could also buy items related to the movie. I joined immediately.
“I have been called The Keeper of the Flame, and I like that moniker,” said INSITE president Jo Addie, also referred to as the official ambassador of the romantic movie.
Through this membership, I discovered that every October, a SIT weekend was held at the exquisite Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan. The remote autumn weekend retreat was something I longed to experience. Over the years, my quest to reach the tiny 8.2 miles in circumference island surrounded by Lake Huron became one of the top items on my bucket list. In September 2024, I decided I wasn’t going to put off the trip any longer. There would be no more excuses. So, I picked up the phone and called the Grand Hotel to make reservations for the following October 2025 SIT summit, which would celebrate the 45th anniversary of the movie and the 35th anniversary of the annual weekend. I didn’t hesitate to invite my daughter, Tanya Martin-Yee, to be my travel companion. Neither one of us fully understood what to expect.
Getting to this island was no easy feat. We flew out of Denver, Colorado, to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where we rented a car for the four-hour drive up the peninsula to Mackinac City, stopping midway for the night in Cadillac. The next morning, we made our way to Shepler’s Ferry for the 15-minute trip to Mackinac Island.
At first sight of the island and the magnificent Grand Hotel in the distance, I teared up with emotion. The mystical apparition far exceeded my expectations. Once we departed the ferry, it was like stepping back into time. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the island. The only way to get around is on foot, by bike, or in a horse-drawn carriage. The tiny historic town was just a few blocks long. We decided to walk along a tree-lined avenue up to the hotel. Describing what we were witnessing as being charming and quaint was an understatement. Along the way, among the day tourists, we ran into strolling couples dressed in exquisite 1912 period outfits. Yes, the men were really into the vibe.
The Grand Hotel, a National Historic Landmark in all its white glory accented with yellow awnings, was perched high on a hillside overlooking Lake Huron, gigantic in its majestic colonial ambience. Stretching across its imperial façade was the famous, imposing 600-foot porch (the longest in the world) that had welcomed elites and celebrities for over a century. Our accommodation was perfect. Lavender-colored floral wallpaper graced the room with touches of yellow and pink, along with the rose plaid carpet, and black-and-white checkered tiles. Typical of the eclectic décor throughout the hotel was a wild mixture of stylish pastels, florals, stripes, checkerboard tiles, and deep reds and greens in every guest room, main dining room, and sitting areas.
Our balcony overlooked part of the golf course, the spectacular hotel garden entrance driveway, and, in the distance, a stunning view of the lake and lighthouse. “It was so relaxing,” said Tanya, “There were no modern street sounds. No honking horns, no engine motors, no humming tires. Only the sounds of nature, squawking seagulls, waves beating against the shoreline, and the constant clip-clop of hoofs echoing against the pavement from horses pulling old-fashioned carriages or hauling other loads like deliveries, luggage, Amazon packages, and trash removal. We were in heaven.”
SIT events were scheduled day and night. We spent evenings enjoying five-course meals in the massive, formal main dining room. After 6 o’clock, the hotel rules stated that men had to wear suits and ties, and women had to wear dresses or evening pantsuits. Of course, for the SIT weekend, most men and women were adorned in period costumes similar to those worn on the Titanic. Top hats, white gloves, white ties, canes, ascots, spats, oversized silk or feathered hats, exquisite gowns and dresses, high top boots, and parasols. Truly, one felt like they had traveled back in time. It was surreal.
On Friday and Saturday evenings, an elaborate reception took place on the patio. It was fun meeting folks dressed in period costumes who had come in from all over the country, and even one couple who had traveled from France. The October weather was amazingly warm and beautiful. On the third evening, the SIT promenade featured hundreds of fans, dressed to the nines, parading down a never-ending hallway flanked by a cheering crowd. That experience was undoubtedly one of the highlights of the weekend. During the day, there were speaker panels featuring surviving SIT cast and crew members from the movie.
Jane Seymour, who had been the star of the film, attended all the festivities. She had a trunk show featuring her incredible artwork on scarves, paintings, and other items. She was also a speaker at some of the weekend scheduled events. It was the second time that I had met Jane. The first time was at the 2015 Palm Springs Women in Film & Television Broken Glass Awards at Agua Caliente Casino and Resort, where Jane was an honoree.
Jo Addie seemed to be everywhere, including her special kiosk selling SIT items and giving talks. She passionately described to me why the movie and the Grand Hotel attracted up to 700 SIT enthusiasts every year. “It is a time travel love story set in a real time travel location—a perfect marriage of story and setting in the film lexicon. There is no other film that depicts the element of hope and the timeless power of love so magnificently.”
During the day, Tanya and I walked around the town, explored the shoreline, enjoyed the Ester Williams pool, and took an incredible private carriage tour of the island. We really lucked out to have a driver who lives on the island full-time with his wife, who is a descendant of the original islanders. We gained considerable insight into the island’s extensive history and its inhabitants. Our beautiful horses, Cheryl and Sharon, pulled the carriage along a gravel path through the thick woods of Mackinac Island National Park that occupies 80% of the island. We were thrilled to visit Fort Mackinac, Arch Rock, and the towering 75-foot mysterious landlocked limestone rock formation called Sugar Loaf.
Tanya summed up our trip perfectly. “I can’t wait for us to go back again to Mackinac Island and the Grand Hotel for the film’s 50th anniversary weekend. Our experience was magical!”
