Schedules

Asbury Grove Traditions

 

The Grove "season" traditionally starts on July 4 and ends on Labor Day, although the traditional beginning is Memorial Day weekend. At that time, volunteers gather at the pool to start preparing the area for the summer. Up until the recent past, that involved scraping and painting the pool, but with the new pool it means taking off the large winter cover and sprucing up the area. Although the work involving the actual pool is less, there still remains much work for people in getting the bathhouses and grounds cleaned and ready. There is always a covered dish supper on the Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend, and the 4:00 Sunday vesper services start the next day.
There is always a lot of work in the spring to make the grounds and buildings look presentable. It takes a lot of help from everyone to get this done. You are responsible for cleaning up the area around your cottage, and can help take care of the common areas. Our Grove superintendent, Gina Reeves, works hard and does a good job, but can’t be responsible for everything. There are specific places where leaves and brush can be put in order to stay in line with the edicts of the town Conservation Commission, and the superintendent can tell you where those places are. Leaves that are placed in the brown paper leaf bags will be picked up with the Grove truck. You can also make arrangements with the superintendent for a time when the truck can be left at your area and you can put your leaves directly onto the truck and she will dispose of them. The only things to be put into the dumpsters are those of household trash such as you put into your wastebasket. Check with the Grove office on the proper disposal of other items. If you are doing renovation work on your cottage, you may want to hire a small dumpster unit since construction-type materials cannot be put into the Grove dumpsters.
The Saturday closest to the Fourth of July is the Cottage Owners’ Association meeting. Every cottage owner is automatically a member of this organization. Dues are $1.00 per year for each cottage owner. Meetings are held at 10:30 in the Chapel. Additional meetings are held on the last Saturday of July and the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Following the Labor Day weekend meeting is a combined meeting of the Cottage Owners’ Association and the Asbury Camp Meeting Corporation when all Grove organizations make their official reports for the season. The Cottage Owners’ Association sponsors the Lobster Bake which is traditionally held the last Saturday of July and is held on the lawn beside the dining hall. Reservations are required for this supper; watch for the announcement in the Pine Echoes.
pictures The Fourth of July is a big day in the Grove. A parade that includes costumed children and adults of the Grove and their families begins at 1:00 in the center. After a couple turns around the pump before the spectators for viewing and picture-taking, everyone follows the parade down to the ball field where judging takes place and prizes are awarded. Races for all ages follow, prizes are given and lemonade and ice cream is available. A softball game will develop, the pool will officially open, and sometime during the afternoon a cookout will begin. It used to be at 5 and many still wait until after swimming at the pool to eat, but those who skip lunch to get ready for the parade and come hungry to the festivities get the fires going earlier. There is a communal charcoal fire although some prefer to bring their own grill along. This is the first real "gathering of the clan" and people mix and move from table to table, greeting old friends and meeting new people, and often stay as long as the weather and darkness permit.
The Labor Day Cookout begins at noon and is similar to the 4th of July cookout, minus the costumes, parade and races.
The Pine Echoes is a weekly newsletter delivered to the cottages during July and August.
Sunday School for all ages begins either the Sunday prior to or the Sunday after the Fourth at 10:45 Sunday mornings – look for the Pine Echoes to let you know which Sunday. The children’s time begins in the Chapel and then splits into age level classes. The Men’s Class meets at the Vesper Circle and the Women’s Class at the Jesse Lee.  
  Sunday Afternoon Vesper Services are held at 4:00 at the Vesper Circle, weather permitting, otherwise in the Chapel. Guest preachers are welcomed each Sunday during July and August; the Chaplain and Grove residents preach during the month of June.
There are Youth Groups for those aged 8-12 and 12-16, and Vacation Bible School for the younger children. Check the Pine Echoes for times and events as they may vary. Youth directors are hired by the Grove for each group.  
  A Hymn Sing is held one Sunday evening in both July and August, usually in the Chapel. This is a fun evening when everyone gets to choose the songs to be sung. Check your brochure or Pine Echoes for the date and time.
Illumination Night when residents light their cottages with white or colored lights, Japanese lanterns, candles or other sources of light is held the Saturday evening before Camp Meeting begins. This dates back to the beginning days of the Camp Meeting when there was no electricity in the Grove and lanterns would be set out to mark the roads leading to the Camp Meeting services.  
  Camp Meeting, the reason Asbury Grove was developed, is usually held the second week of August, although this sometimes changes to accommodate a speaker. Services and studies are held each day Sunday through Friday at 10 and 11 am and 7:30 pm. Suppers are served at the dining hall at 6:00 pm each evening for a nominal fee with a 24-hour sign-up notice. Sign-up sheets are posted at the dining hall.
Monday night Road Races led by Roger Perham have become an Asbury Grove tradition. There are races for all ages and participants range from toddlers to 80+ year olds, with the length of the race suitable for the age. Runners, walkers and spectators meet at the pool area where the first races begin at 5:45. There is a one-time fee of $1 per participant. Ribbons are given.  
Supper and Bible Study take place beginning at 6:00 on Tuesday evenings in the dining hall. A short video is shown after the supper, which is prepared and served for a free-will offering, and then there will be several smaller discussions groups to discuss the video.
  If you like to sing, consider joining the Cantata Choir which meets for rehearsals on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel. The Cantata is presented on the Sunday evening of Labor Day weekend, followed by a Candlelight Circle and Hymn Sing in the center.
Thursday is traditionally Midweek Service night, meeting in the Chapel at 7:30, with a message delivered by the Chaplain.
A Communion Service sponsored by the Men’s Class is held the second Sunday of August at 7:30 a.m. in the Chapel, followed by muffins, donuts, coffee and juice in the dining hall.
  Friday and Saturday mornings the Coffee Shop is open in the center. The Hours are 8-10:30 with the exception of those Saturdays when there are Cottage Owners’ Association meetings.
The annual Auction sponsored by the Men’s Class is held the second Saturday night in July. It is usually preceded by a Pie Social at 6:00 sponsored by the Ladies’ Aid Society. Preview of the auction items is at 7:00 with the auction beginning at 7:30. The Auction depends on the donations of the residents in order to continue, and the Grove truck will go by on the morning of the auction to collect any item you may have. If you should have auctionable items at other times, you can check with the superintendent for a storage place.  
Various events are held on Saturday nights and some Fridays – always check your Pine Echoes each week to see what’s happening and if there are any changes in the schedule.
Admissions Committee, carywalsh@aol.com
 
 

 

 

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