[Hiawatha Manor] Closed??

[thomassontag]

Subject: Notification of Resort Closure Due to Employee Layoffs​

Does anyone have more information on this?? Dear Hiawatha Manor Owner, I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to formally advise you that due to unforeseen circumstances involving the layoff of essential resort employees, we are required to temporarily close Hiawatha East effective 9/27/2024. Unfortunately, the decision to lay off employees was made without prior notification to Hiawatha Manor Association, Inc. or to Lemonjuice Solutions, leaving us unable to maintain the necessary staffing levels to operate the resort. While this development was unexpected, we are taking immediate steps to address the situation and ensure that all guests and owners are informed of the closure. We are working to resolve this matter and will notify you as soon as we have a clear plan for reopening. We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding during this challenging time. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please do not hesitate to contact us at HIawathaEastReimagined@lemonjuice.biz. We will also be updating Frequently Asked Questions with the latest information: https://hiawatharesort.info We are committed to finding a resolution and will keep you updated as we move forward. Sincerely, Archie Dolby, President Hiawatha Manor Association, Inc.

 

[dioxide45]

So who laid off the employees?

Was this property working toward converting to whole ownership condos or otherwise trying to divest itself of the timeshare structure?

 

[amycurl]

This is intriguing. Lemonjuice is the new management company. All I can think of is that the current staff was still being paid/employed by the old management company (Vacatia) through a transition period, and Vacatia decided to lay off all the staff without notice to the HOA or the new management company. Lemonjuice appears to be a pretty transparent and upright company, which makes this even more confusing. I'm guessing they didn't want to throw anyone under the bus by saying more. Stay classy, Vacatia!

 

[tpedwards]

Wow, this is news to me. I do not own at Hiawatha Manor East, but I do own two weeks at Hiawatha Manor West. Does anyone know if/how West is affected?

 

[bdemerchant]

wow- surprise, surprise, thank you for posting this, I happened to stumble across it while looking for something else. I'm rarely ever here. We own at Hiawatha Manor West as well. We haven't stayed there in years, electing to stay at Fairfield Glade instead, but we do love the Hiawatha Manor West golf course (Lake Tansi) so we play there often when in the area. In my humble opinion, the best thing that could happen here is bulldoze the timeshare units and turn it into a beautiful condo area. The area has grown spectacularly since we first started traveling to this area from NJ around 25 years ago. Please post if you hear anything new from Hiawatha East and I will as well if I hear anything from Hiawatha west.

 

[tpedwards]

Thanks for the post. I reached out to Lemonjuice, the firm that has taken on management of Hiawatha Manor East and asked about West.

I have not tried the owner number. I do not know how long this has been posted, but probably as long as East was first closed.

Here is their response:

At this time, we do not manage Hiawatha West.

Here are phone numbers for owners and guests:

Thank you and have a nice day!

 

[tpedwards]

I am hoping Lemonjuice is able to take on Hiawatha Manor West as well. They seem to be able to turn around stressed resorts, but they must be in a high-demand area and the current owners must be in a position to welcome the new management. For other properties, they have offered to accept deeds for $250 + 1 year maintenance. I would certainly take that offer.

We last stayed there - only time we stayed there since owning for twelve years - in 2020. It was in pretty rough shape then with very low occupancy. Then again, it was in the midst of the COVID panic. I will post more here if I learn more.

 

[Topcop77]

wow- surprise, surprise, thank you for posting this, I happened to stumble across it while looking for something else. I'm rarely ever here. We own at Hiawatha Manor West as well. We haven't stayed there in years, electing to stay at Fairfield Glade instead, but we do love the Hiawatha Manor West golf course (Lake Tansi) so we play there often when in the area. In my humble opinion, the best thing that could happen here is bulldoze the timeshare units and turn it into a beautiful condo area. The area has grown spectacularly since we first started traveling to this area from NJ around 25 years ago. Please post if you hear anything new from Hiawatha East and I will as well if I hear anything from Hiawatha west.

Hi I’m new and first time posting. I do own at Hiawatha West and have been trying to sell for a while before I got this news.
Is this good news for owners like me who have been trying to unload our timeshare? I paid a lot of fees over the years and seldom used it.
Not sure what to make of this new situation. If anyone wants to be a good deed do-er I would appreciate any insights, advice, or information you can share with me. I’m a Florida resident btw. Thanks and Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

 

[Topcop77]

I am hoping Lemonjuice is able to take on Hiawatha Manor West as well. They seem to be able to turn around stressed resorts, but they must be in a high-demand area and the current owners must be in a position to welcome the new management. For other properties, they have offered to accept deeds for $250 + 1 year maintenance. I would certainly take that offer.

We last stayed there - only time we stayed there since owning for twelve years - in 2020. It was in pretty rough shape then with very low occupancy. Then again, it was in the midst of the COVID panic. I will post more here if I learn more.

Hi just reaching out because I saw your post on Hiawatha West. I’m seeking the latest information and you seem to be informed. Please let me know if you hear anything new.

Thanks

 

[tpedwards]

I just checked again - searched my e-mail for Lemonjuice and found the following message received on November 27. Thanks @Topcop77 for your inquiry as it prompted me to look in my inbox.

Dear Hiawatha Manor West Owners:
In August, Hiawatha Manor West Board of Directors (“Board”) engaged Lemonjuice Solutions (“Lemonjuice”) to help navigate the next steps for Hiawatha Manor West Association, Inc. (“Hiawatha West”). Lemonjuice is honored to have been selected by your Board and looks forward to offering solutions for all vested timeshare owners in the future.

As you may be aware, Hiawatha West was closed unexpectedly on September 27, 2024, by Crown Management, which resulted in the entire staff being laid off. Enclosed is a message from your Board regarding this challenge.

https://mcusercontent.com/0090fb882b73a472cbccae8d9/files/6c35115d-6276-c26b-17b7-04c99fd885c5/Hiawatha_Owner_Mailing_11.26_.pdf

Let's hope we get a resolution soon.

 

[zzzme2]

Hello all,

Thanks to TUG user Grammarhero, I was able to look at Tennessee's timeshare laws.

1. Tennessee – TN, TN has no anti-deficiency laws, TS statues begin at 66-32-101 https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid=1000516&crid=5178a5ca-9f2e-49a6-9e03-9671bc8a5b72&nodeid=ACNABGAABAAB&nodepath=/ROOT/ACN/ACNABG/ACNABGAAB/ACNABGAABAAB&level=4&haschildren=&populated=false&title=66-32-101.+Short+title.&config=025054JABlOTJjNmIyNi0wYjI0LTRjZGEtYWE5ZC0zNGFhOWNhMjFlNDgKAFBvZENhdGFsb2cDFQ14bX2GfyBTaI9WcPX5&pddocfullpath=/shared/document/statutes-legislation/urn:contentItem:4X8K-WKT0-R03M-808V-00008-00&ecomp=h3t7kkk&prid=011cd32f-ea05-4fb7-bc94-598580c61884

In July, around the time of the 2024 annual meeting, I tried to get & was denied a list of all current owners at Hiawatha Manor East, (as the attached Tennessee Code mandates timeshare management to provide to timeshare owners). Vacatia was still the management company at that time.

Today, Dec 6, 2024, I was preparing to repeat that request, this time in writing, and was searching online for the correct address when I found several online postings by Lemonjuice and the above letter by the Board President, Archie Dolby.

For those of you who are owners at Hiawatha WEST, I found this open letter posted online from Lemonjuice: https://mcusercontent.com/0090fb882...4c99fd885c5/Hiawatha_Owner_Mailing_11.26_.pdf

I found this web page: https://hiawatharesort.info/ which included notice of a zoom meeting. I received no notice of this Zoom meeting, despite having been in phone and email contact with a Board Member before the July 2024 Hiawatha East Board Meeting.

I am particularly alarmed by a paragraph contained in another open letter posted online from Lemonjuice. https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/9c...Hiawatha East JP Edits .pdf?ver=1731343076339

I copied this directly from that letter, so it is of poor but readable quality. You can also access the letter at the link just above.

"D u rin g th e title record s reco n ciliatio n , th e form er b u ild in gs labeled F, G, H , I an d , J that were rem oved years ago still exist with in th e d eclaration s an d are believed to retain both th eir righ t to vote an d sh are of com m on elem en ts. Sin ce th ere can n ot be a valid vote of own ers on an y topic if th is is tr u e, o n e o f th e strategies th at will be stron gly con sid ered is u sin g th e p owers of fed eral laws to resolve th is u n u sual situ ation . T h ose fed eral laws are exercised in Bankruptcy court

This indicates that one strategy being proposed by Lemonjuice is to seek protection of the Bankruptcy Court.

I would like to establish contact with anyone who is an owner at Hiawatha EAST. I see others are outside Tennessee, and I live in Colorado. Being out of state certainly puts us at a disadvantage. I'm not very adept at using Bulletin Boards, but I would appreciate receiving any message here or privately.