Contents -- Acknowledgments -- Introduction -- 1. Establishing the Foundations of a Black Resort in Michigan -- Early History: A Logging Community in Michigan -- Racial Segregation, Northern Style -- The Formative Years and the Idlewild Resort Company, 1915-1927 -- The Contractual Agreement -- The IRC Plan -- Sociological Illuminations -- 2. Continuation of a Good Deal -- The Formation of Idlewild Summer Resort Company -- Articles of Association -- The Idlewild Summer Resort Company Plan of Development -- The Business District in Idlewild -- Sociological Illuminations -- 3. The Popular Place to Be -- Promotion of the Resort -- Special Music and Poems Written for Idlewild -- The Emergent Cleavages at Idlewild -- The Skin Color Factor: Intraracial Strife and Problems of Social Distance -- Other Related Developments -- Sociological Illuminations -- 4. An Emergent Black Entertainment Showcase -- The Chitlin Circuit -- The Signifiance of Idlewild Clubs to Entertainers -- White Music Lovers at Idlewild -- On Stage at Idlewild -- Escape to Woodland Park for Rest -- Nature, Swimming, Boating, and Horseback Riding -- Some Famous Athletes at Idlewild -- Sociological Illuminations -- 5. Some Intended and Unintended Consequences in the Black Community During the Civil Rights Era -- Living in a Caste System in the United States -- The Civil Rights Movement versus the Caste System -- On Integration: A New Phase and a New Crisis -- Self-Validation, Self -Actualization, and Identity -- The Dual Challenge: Transforming America through Integration versus Racial Solidarity -- Some Shortcomings of Public Accommodations Act and Integration -- Did Public Accommodations Act Alone Kill Idlewild? -- Idlewild Will Always Be There! -- "Greener Pastures" -- Lack of Leadership and Vision -- An Incomplete Infrastructure: Another Factor -- The Passing of the Great Ones.

Idlewild: A Question of Survival -- Sociological Illuminations -- 6. A Snapshot of Idlewild's Contemporary Social Status -- Social Structure of Idlewild -- Some Social Demographics -- The Business Picture in Idlewild -- The Employment and Income Situation -- Crime and Delinquency in the Township -- The Housing Dilemma in Idlewild -- Family Concerns -- Educational Status and Problems -- Environmental Issues -- The Transportation System -- Hope and Anxiety for the Future of Idlewild -- Sociological Illuminations -- 7. Revitalization: 1960-2000 Activities -- Mid-Sixties: The Shadies and the Saints -- A New Breed Brings Hope to Old-Timers -- Activities to Stop the Downward Spiral -- Activities to Remove Squatters and Improve the Community -- Activities from the Yates Township Board: A Time for Action -- More Recent Efforts to Revitalize Idlewild -- An Acceleration of Activities to Turn the Community Around -- FiveCAP: A Major Piece of the Revitalization Puzzle -- Sociological Illuminations -- 8. A Need for a Comprehensive Strategic Plan: Some Suggestions -- A Need for Definitional Clarity of the Community -- The Importance of a Paradigm Shift and Transformative Leaders -- Current and Future Challenges -- A Companion Plan for Idlewild Vis-à-Vis the County Plan -- Background and Summary of Lake County's "Plan" -- A Comprehensive Companion Plan for Idlewild: Some Salient Suggestions -- Sociological Illuminations -- 9. An Epilogue for Idlewild -- Success and Failure -- Entertainment and Leisure-Oriented Businesses -- A Short-Term Alternative to Building New Motels and Restaurants -- Empowerment: Making Use of Existing Resources -- A Composite Summary of Sociological Illuminations -- Conclusion -- Appendices -- 1. Sample Coupons -- 2. Scott's Letter of Endorsement -- 3. Curry's Letter of Endorsement -- 4. Some Early Pioneers in Idlewild.

5 . Purchase Agreement Letter -- 6. Sheet Music: "Idlewild" -- 7. Sheet Music: "(Idlewild) Duett Chorus: Tango Dance" -- Notes -- Index.