By Petula Brown
For some Michiganders, I-94’s western track is a familiar path. Excursions to breakfast behemoth Kellogg, muffin maestro Jiffy, or a sandy shore on Lake Michigan share the interstate with commuters and commercial traffic. I-94 is also the gateway to Watervliet, a rural section of the Niles-Benton Harbor metro area—a region often associated with beachfront getaways. A drive through downtown Watervliet provides a juxtaposition of convenience and tradition. The area’s relaxed vibe is the ideal backdrop for the natural respite offered by the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center.
Ronora’s deceptively small Dwight Boyer Road entry point suggests a locale with an equine focus as horses casually trek the landscape. Driving deeper into the property, visitors begin to appreciate not only its expansiveness but also its significance. Signage on the Chadwicke Dining Hall reveals that the Center resides within the Redtail Nature Preserve that’s protected by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, thereby preventing overdevelopment. Visiting Ronora during the off season hid trails under a blanket of snow, but also afforded a chance to see views of the 350+ acre property hidden by foliage during the summer season…a property co-owner Deej Leggitt describes as a place where guests can “commune with the inner soul.”
Reverence for nature has defined the site for decades. In the 1930’s, the location was home to a horse camp : Camp Watervliet for Girls. Founder Dr. Henry Tatter described the setting as a place to “feel Mother Earth, sense Her balance, and find your own.” By 1988, 75 acres was purchased by three friends (Deej and Hunter Leggitt with Jim Gehring) and christened Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center. Named after Ms. Leggitt’s grandmother, her Shawnee heritage influenced Ms. Leggitt’s passion to engage with nature. Combined with an appreciation for acceptance fostered by experiences with the Unitarian Church, Ronora has evolved to foster “intentional communities” by hosting a variety of public and private events. Spiritual, men’s, women’s, and yoga groups have embraced Ronora to host activities that encourage recovery, reflection, and respite. 2022 public events include collaborations with The Human Awareness Institute (hai.org) to present the weekend workshop, “Connecting in Love.”
Whether experiencing Ronora as an event participant or singular guest, the facilities nicely balance personal comfort with community mindfulness. Accommodations include cottage Casa de Luz’s loft and private bathroom, Lonnie’s Eco Cottage with a stone fireplace and composting toilet, and bunkhouses Cedar Lodge I and II. Amenities include comforters, pillows, hand soap, and paper products. Guests are welcomed to bring their own bed and bath linens or reserve linen sets for an additional fee. Individuals and small groups may use kitchen facilities equipped with cooking and dining utensils to prepare and serve meals while larger groups can arrange catering services via Ronora. Travelers seeking a tech detox will appreciate the lack of phones and electronics within the Center, but wireless internet is available in the dining hall. Varied options for accommodations, amenities, meals, and tech access allows Ronora to be responsive to guest’s unique needs.
Beyond sleeping and dining facilities, the Center provides a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to explore, refresh, or socialize. The dining hall and the Grace in the Woods lakeside sanctuary can be used for solitary practices or reserved for larger events. Three miles of groomed trails are available for biking and hiking. Spring-fed Lake Sherwood is accessible to Ronora guests for swimming, wading, fishing, and shore-side relaxation. Whether one’s preference is to embrace the land or water, alone or with others, Ronora has something to suit one’s interests.
Guests are welcomed to bring crafts, board games, literature and other hobbies, but Ronora and the communities of the Niles-Benton Harbor metro area provide a variety of leisurely options. The Center provides life preservers, float toys, inner tubes and paddle boats so visitors can fully enjoy Lake Sherwood. Ronora offers basketball hoops, a tennis court, volleyball net, bean bag toss, and horseshoe supplies for group activities. The property also maintains a bonfire area and fire pits and provides wood for use in those areas. A distinctive experience available at Ronora is horse play with rescued equines. Guests are able to visit and feed the animals, but Ronora can arrange other interactive non-riding experiences, too.
For visitors eager to venture beyond the Center, Southwestern Michigan offers the beaches of Lake Michigan and shopping in South Haven and St. Joseph within a 20-minute drive. Summer is also the time to enjoy annual events. Beer lovers can visit the Makers Trail Festival in Bridgman while runners can enjoy the 12 Corners Wine 5K Run in Benton Harbor. Wine and music fans are welcomed to explore the region’s numerous wineries, which often host live music.
Ronora illustrates an admirable approach toward embracing and respecting one’s surroundings. The Center also demonstrates strength in the face of adversity. Faced with Covid challenges experienced by most resort locations, Ronora dug in. During the pandemic, the Center acquired a broader footprint that allowed guests exclusive access to Lake Sherwood. A fire destroyed the beloved Grandma’s House in July2021. Over 30 years, the House hosted retreats organized by spectrum of institutions including Earth Wisdom, Gay Women of China, Jewish Children’s Services, Notre Dame, Sistah-Sistah, and Test Positive Awareness. Ronora supporters rallied, and rebuilding is in progress. When finished it will increase the accommodation capacity to nearly 100 guests in the summer of 2022. Through the years, Ronora has forged its own path as exemplified by the sentiment of Deej, Hunter, and Jim when they say, “Ronora owns us.”
Ronora is located at 9325 Dwight Boyer Rd, Watervliet, MI 49098. You can learn more online at ronoralodge.com. To contact Ronora email ronoralodge@gmail.com or call (269) 463-6315.
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For some Michiganders, I-94’s western track is a familiar path. Excursions to breakfast behemoth Kellogg, muffin maestro Jiffy, or a sandy shore on Lake Michigan share the interstate with commuters and commercial traffic. I-94 is also the gateway to Watervliet, a rural section of the Niles-Benton Harbor metro area—a region often associated with beachfront getaways. A drive through downtown Watervliet provides a juxtaposition of convenience and tradition. The area’s relaxed vibe is the ideal backdrop for the natural respite offered by the Ronora Lodge and Retreat Center.