Black Lake Information

For Your Information
Food Services
BADGES
Your ID badge is your meal ticket. Wear it at all times.
 

MEALS:
Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m.
Lunch: Noon-1:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
 

DRINKING:
State and liquor laws apply to the Center. Alcoholic beverages can be purchased at the Inn, Sports Bar and the
Red Pine Market. Do not drink in public areas. No cameras are allowed in the Inn or Sports Bar. Alcoholic drinks
cannot be served to those under 21.

Recreation
GYM, GAME ROOM AND EXERCISE ROOM
The gym, game room and exercise room are available to delegates and visitors each day. Only white-soled
tennis shoes are allowed in gym. No one under the age of 18 will be allowed to use the exercise equipment.
Bring your own gym shoes. Towels are available in the gym.
SWIMMING POOL
The Pool is open from 10:00a.m. - 10:00 p.m. daily.
BIKES
Bikes are available to rent at the Red Pine Market.
BOATING
If you bring your boat to the Center, you must follow Michigan State boating regulations: Trailers must be
parked in designated area after launch. Boat slips are available to rent from Security.
GOLF
Try out the beautiful 18-hole course with a great driving range and putting green for your enjoyment. We even
rent clubs. For your Tee Time call (989) 733-4653.
Center Services

TRANSPORTATION
Bus transportation may be available. Children under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. Call the
Front Desk for bus service by dialing “0.”
 

ATM
Located in the Main Lobby ($3 fee)
GIFT SHOP
Souvenirs and other supplies can be purchased at the Gift Shop located in the Main Lobby area.
RED PINE MARKET
Located just inside the Center's entrance we have Ice, Firewood, Snacks, Alcohol and Ice Cream available.
WiFi
Available in Education Building, Classroom J and K, Lobby and Dining Room
BOOKSTORE – LIBRARY
There is a library and bookstore located in the Education Building. Non-prescription pain relievers are available
for purchase.
LAUNDRY
Coin-operated laundry facilities are located at Maxon Lodge. Change is available at the Main Lobby.
 

Walter and May Reuther UAW FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER
2000 Maxon Road, Onaway, MI 49765
(989) 733-8521
 

Security
SERIOUS EMERGENCIES
For serious emergencies call 9911 for ambulance. Whether it's serious or minor, please notify security at 7261
FIRE
To report a fire, call 7261 or use the stationary fire alarm box. If you hear the fire alarm at any time, get out of
the building and go to the ballfield, then wait for instruction from Staff or employees.
Center Policies
SECURITY GATE
Drivers received a numbered card upon entering the Center. The card should be placed on the dashboard when
parked on Center property. The numbered card must be shown at the Main Gate when entering the Center.
Please return the card to the Main Security Gate on checkout day.
PARKING
Park in designated areas only. (Reception Center, Upper Lodge or at Old Lodge Parking Lot for those housed
there.) Parking anywhere else seriously jeopardizes the Center’s ability to provide emergency services. Parking
rules are strictly enforced. If you park illegally, you will be required to move your car to the Outside Parking Lot.
CHECK OUT: 10:00 a.m.
All guests must check out by 10:00 a.m. Leave your key card in your room or at the Front Desk in the Main
Lobby prior to departure.
ROLLER BLADES, SCOOTERS, SKATEBOARDS & HOVERBOARDS
Use of rollerblades, scooters, skateboards or hover boards is not permitted at the Center.
DRUGS
No illegal drugs of any kind are permitted on UAW property.
GAMBLING
No gambling except in your room. Call Front Desk before 8:30 p.m. for card tables and chairs.
BONFIRES
Due to fire danger, absolutely no bonfires/campfires are permitted in the Center, except in designated areas.
Those violating policy will be asked to leave the Center.
HUNTING & WEAPONS
No hunting on UAW property and no weapons allowed.
If you bring weapons, they must be checked at the Main Gate.
SMOKING
A no-smoking policy is in effect inside all buildings at the Center. Only use designated smoking areas located
outside.
 

Miscellaneous

VISITORS
All visitors must be cleared through the Education Office prior to 4:00 p.m. Dial 7241. Visitors must be off the
grounds by 10:00 p.m.
WALKING TRAILS
Limited walking trails are located near the Japanese Bridge and at the Red Pine Market. The golf course and
golf cart pathways are off-limits for obvious safety reasons. Those disregarding this warning will be asked to
leave the Center.
SHARPS’ CONTAINERS
For diabetics and others using hypodermic needles, Sharps’ containers are available at the Front Desk.
CENTER CONDUCT
Conduct yourself in an orderly fashion at all times. All children 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent
to use any of the Center facilities. (pool, gym, hallways, dining room, beach, etc.)
Vandalism, theft, destruction of property, etc. should be reported to Security immediately and proper accident
reports filed.
Violation of good conduct could result in your being asked to leave the Center.
 

Phone
Numbers
For serious
emergencies: 9911
Fire: 7261
Front Desk: 0
Security: 7261
Gym: 7271
Gift Shop: 7268
Bus: Dial 0
Education: 7241
Golf Course
(989) 733-4653
Red Pine Market
(989) 733-7207
/dc
opeiu494afl-cio

WALTER & MAY REUTHER UAW FAMILY EDUCATION CENTER
Interesting Facts
When UAW officers approved the Black Lake site for purchase in 1966, only log cabin buildings existed on the property formerly owned by Detroit advertising executive Lou Maxon. The purchase revolved
around the main Maxon Lodge built in 1932.
When the UAW purchased the property in 1967, it included 750 acres with an option to purchase an additional 250 acres. In 1989, the UAW purchased another 200 acres which
adjoins the Upper Lodge area. Today, the UAW owns approximately 1,020 acres. It includes a 51-site campground and an 18-hole golf course that opened in 1999. The hotel can sleep 400;
the Dining Room will seat 300; a gymnasium serves also as an auditorium that will seat 1,200 people. A glass-encased Olympic swimming pool overlooks lush forests. Such are the interesting features designed by Oscar Stonorov, the principle architect of the buildings. Reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright, Stonorov’s contemporary style was blended with Walter Reuther’s dream to maintain a setting that relied on the pure beauty of “nature.”
At the onset of construction, Reuther personally marked many trees that were to remain standing. Many of the trees were planted by the CCC and include white, red, scotch and jackpine, cedar, oak, maple, aspen and hemlock. Throughout the Center, nature touches all walls. Red cedar was used both indoors and outdoors; doors and wood trim are made from birch; wood paneling in the sleeping rooms is pecan; student corridor railings are red birch; many handrails are made of teak.
For aesthetic purposes, all utility systems on the Center are underground. A treatment plant covers six acres, includes five one-acre lagoons and serves as a “blender” rather than a chemical treatment system. To eliminate water pollution, lift stations pump all sewage away from the lake. Unique to the Center is its interesting details of design.
Everything that looks like marble is actually granite; all bronze work was cast in Italy and designed by Vivalli. More than 15,000 tons of Crab Orchard stone came from Wisconsin; fireplace hearths hailed from Canada and French Creek, Pennsylvania. Laminated beams and columns -- varying in diameter from 9 to 16 inches and some as long as 40 feet -- enhance the buildings. The longest beam is located in the Dining Room, measuring 72 feet. Roofs are strong enough to hold five feet of snow. The Zodiac Room, a connecting hub to the Education Building, displays the signs of the zodiac as it appeared on the birth date of Walter Reuther – September 1, 1907. The zodiac design was a gift from those who built the Center, members of the Construction Trade Union.
Maxon’s Old Lodge is made of whole log construction with hand-hewn beams. Its fireplace mantle and stair treads are made of cut half-logs. Original hard rock maple chairs, tables, beds and chests still grace a section of the Old Lodge. It played host to many auto executives. Celebrities like Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball spent their honeymoon at the cozy cabin.
Elsewhere on the Center, a Japanese arch bridge, constructed of pre-cast cement, is enhanced by the bronze sculptured light, “Man and Woman.” A bronze fireplace in the Dining Room adds warmth to the already cozy environment. Its Latin inscription reveals the State of Michigan’s motto: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you.” A simple large black Lava stone was donated by the Wisconsin quarry that provided the Center’s Crab Orchard Stone. Both young and old are surprised to learn that the huge stone weighs only 300 pounds. A bronze sculpture, “Children of the World,” is the focal point for many family photographs.
Sadly, Walter and his wife May along with architect Oscar Stonorov did not live to see the opening of the Center. On May 9, 1970, a plane carrying the three and a bodyguard crashed in nearby
Pellston, Michigan. Along with two pilots, all were killed in the crash. Walter and May Reuther’s ashes were spread in a simple ceremony atop a hill overlooked from the Main Lobby. Today, the area is marked by an eternal flame donated by Japanese Trade Unions. A large memorial monument with sculptures of the Reuther brothers was added
to the area in 2003. A plaque located near the Japanese lantern bears the inscription “There is no greater calling than to serve your brother. There is no greater satisfaction than to have done it well.” Later, the ashes of Walter’s brother Roy were also scattered on the same hill. His plaque bears the inscription “Look to the stars – Let us dream our hopes and aspirations for that better tomorrow.”
opeiu494 – AFL/CIO