September 2026

Sep 2

7 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

6Dear Friends,

Did you notice a change of pace over these last three months? (Was your pace actually altered?) Michigan’s decisive (if not altogether precise) four seasons offers a somewhat forceful change in habit or shake up from routine every few months. At the Cottage, the increased sunlight offered a bounty of heirloom tomatoes out of the side yard, beautiful dahlias off the front porch, and increased energy to tackle tasks and plan for more.

We celebrated the summer season the last week of August with a Club Cookout for members to share a meal (and literally a dish, potluck style). What an encouragement to see each other outside of the workspace– meeting families and learning of interests outside of the office.

One thing that came up in particular was a certain member’s love of donuts. And a few more with a love of stories, particularly depicted through moving pictures (films). And of course our general interest in a culture grounded in virtue and encountering the good through beauty. This upcoming season, our pace is kicking into fall gear: We’re not totally lounge-y from sunshine naps. We’re not yet frozen into hibernation.

We’re excited to share with you all sorts of ways we can wonder over beautiful people, places, things, and ideas.

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POEM FOR SEPTEMBER

The Legend Beautiful

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1863)

"Hads't thou stayed, I must have fled!"

That is what the Vision said.

In his chamber all alone,

Kneeling on the floor of stone,

Prayed the Monk in deep contrition

For his sins of indecision,

Prayed for greater self-denial

In temptation and in trial;

It was noonday by the dial,

And the Monk was all alone.

Suddenly, as if it lightened,

An unwonted splendor brightened

All within him and without him

In that narrow cell of stone;

And he saw the Blessed Vision

Of our Lord, with light Elysian

Like a vesture wrapped about him,

Like a garment round him thrown.

Not as crucified and slain,

Not in agonies of pain,

Not with bleeding hands and feet,

Did the Monk his Master see;

But as in the village street,

In the house or harvest-field,

Halt and lame and blind he healed,

When he walked in Galilee.

In an attitude imploring,

Hands upon his bosom crossed,

Wondering, worshipping, adoring,

Knelt the Monk in rapture lost.

Lord, he thought, in heaven that reignest,

Who am I, that thus thou deignest

To reveal thyself to me?

Who am I, that from the centre

Of thy glory thou shouldst enter

This poor cell, my guest to be?

Then amid his exaltation,

Loud the convent bell appalling,

From its belfry calling, calling,

Rang through court and corridor

With persistent iteration

He had never heard before.

It was now the appointed hour

When alike in shine or shower,

Winter's cold or summer's heat,

To the convent portals came

All the blind and halt and lame,

All the beggars of the street,

For their daily dole of food

Dealt them by the brotherhood;

And their almoner was he

Who upon his bended knee,

Rapt in silent ecstasy

Of divinest self-surrender,

Saw the Vision and the Splendor.

Deep distress and hesitation

Mingled with his adoration;_

Should he go, or should he stay?

Should he leave the poor to wait

Hungry at the convent gate,

Till the Vision passed away?

Should he slight his radiant guest,

Slight this visitant celestial,

For a crowd of ragged, bestial

Beggars at the convent gate?

Would the Vision there remain?

Would the Vision come again?

Then a voice within his breast

Whispered, audible and clear

As if to the outward ear:

"Do thy duty; that is best;

Leave unto thy Lord the rest!"

Straightway to his feet he started,

And with longing look intent

On the Blessed Vision bent,

Slowly from his cell departed,

Slowly on his errand went.

At the gate the poor were waiting,

Looking through the iron grating,_

With that terror in the eye

That is only seen in those

Who amid their wants and woes

Hear the sound of doors that close,

And of feet that pass them by;

Grown familiar with disfavor,

Grown familiar with the savor

Of the bread by which men die!

But to-day, they knew not why,

Like the gate of Paradise

Seemed the convent gate to rise,

Like a sacrament divine

Seemed to them the bread and wine.

In his heart the Monk was praying,

Thinking of the homeless poor,

What they suffer and endure;

What we see not, what we see;

And the inward voice was saying:

"Whatsoever thing thou doest

To the least of mine and lowest,

That thou doest unto me!"

Unto me! but had the Vision

Come to him in beggar's clothing,

Come a mendicant imploring,

Would he then have knelt adoring,

Or have listened with derision,

And have turned away with loathing.

Thus his conscience put the question,

Full of troublesome suggestion,

As at length, with hurried pace,

Towards his cell he turned his face,

And beheld the convent bright

With a supernatural light,

Like a luminous cloud expanding

Over floor and wall and ceiling.

But he paused with awe-struck feeling

At the threshold of his door,

For the Vision still was standing

As he left it there before,

When the convent bell appalling,

From its belfry calling, calling,

Summoned him to feed the poor.

Through the long hour intervening

It had waited his return,

And he felt his bosom burn,

Comprehending all the meaning,

When the Blessed Vision said,

"Hadst thou stayed, I must have fled!"

OUTINGS WITH THE COTTAGE

Two Opportunities for Culture!

RSVP by Friday, Sept 11

Sun. Sept 20 - Heaven in Stone & Glass

6pm @ Phoenix Theatre at Woodland Mall

We have 7 tickets to the new documentary from Bishop Robert Baron about art, architecture, and mystery. How can hard, solid stone and glass move the human soul? Experience the spirituality of the Gothic cathedrals dotting the European landscape and anchoring cities and towns. Tickets in the Cottage Way of Beauty group are first-come, first-served. You MUST RSVP (email hello@cottageonturner.com) to join us and secure your ticket by Friday, Sept 11.

Here's the trailer: Heaven in Stone and Glass

-1 FREE ticket for Club Members & Office Tenants (add’l ticket in the group, $10)

-$10 ticket for Punch Cards and general public

-general admission is $14 (seats w/service fee)

Sat. Oct 10

Grand Rapids Symphony's America at 250

7:30pm @ DeVos performance hall

We have a row of 10 tickets to the Grand Rapids Symphony’s performance honoring America 250! If you’re looking for some musical culture and a Saturday night out on the town with your favorite (cultured) coworkers… here’s an opportunity for you! Join our block of tickets by RSVPing by emailing hello@cottageonturner.com!

-1 FREE ticket for Club Members & Office Tenants (add’l tickets in our group, $19)

-$19 ticket for Punch Cards and general public

RSVP at hello@cottageonturner.com reserve your ticket by Friday, Sept 11.

Join us in these cultural events to experience it, to reflect on it, and share it with one another!

Shared experiences build culture! Also... come hang out with us!!

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Timothy Flanders

The Meaning of Catholic

Meet Timothy Flanders! You might catch this dapper fellow picking up litter around the Cottage on his way to his upstairs desk or taking out the trash without being asked (thank you, Timothy!). This father of four, grandfather of one (!), is a writer, teacher, publisher, and podcaster who finds truth and charity his guiding lights. Club members can find out more about this renaissance man who resides on the westside at our monthly club member lunches. You, dear reader, will need to join the club to learn more about Mr. Flanders and his summers in Egypt... Go ahead, get a membership today!

MOVIE NIGHTS AT THE COTTAGE

Weekly, Thursdays at 7pm

Free and open to the public.

Sept 3 - 10 - 24 | Oct 1 - 8 - 15 - 22 - 29

Films engage two of our most used data-gathering senses: sight and sound. And in a wonderful integration, films can transport us from merely “data-gathering” to emotionally moving and indeed, contemplative. We’re curating a watch list to reawaken the spirit of wonder and gathering here at the Cottage this fall to let these stories wash over us together. Come with an open mind and watch movies with us each Thursday* evening and scratch the itch for thinking about themes, characters, cinematographic choices. It’s informal, but the show starts promptly at 7pm. We’re not going to watch anything too gory or crass, but these evenings are intended for adults to re-engage their imaginations. That said… plan to drop by Thursdays in September* & October.

Come on into the Cottage at the Blue Door, 429 Turner Ave NW.

Free street parking available - the city meters shut off at 7pm!

*We will NOT hold movie night on Sept 17.

DONUTS GO NUTS!

Saturday, October 10 | 9-11am

Donut tasting & competition

Dreams really can come true! So...donuts are Mal's favorite food and so we're putting together a friendly competition/tasting for who has the tastiest ones from around town. Voting is optional and open to wide interpretation. Mark your calendars for Saturday morning October 10. We're hoping for a lovely fall morning outside the Cottage where we'll taste a variety of donuts and drink cider and coffee in support of St. Mary's Food Pantry next door. Entry is $5 for 5 tastes and one vote. Cash at the door. Add'l donations welcome (see most needed non-perishables list or cash/check for St. Mary Food Pantry). Tell your friends and plan to bring them along!