Big Chair—Appreciation of Floridays

Floridays RV Park wasn’t always the safe, friendly community it is today. Nine years ago, Mike and Susan Graham purchased the “Angle Inn Mobile Court” in Hobe Sound, a run-down eyesore with only one outstanding feature…the welcoming, industrious mobile park Manager, George Vryhof and his wife Sandi. 

Managing Angle Inn had been a nightmare—no budget and an uncaring owner unwilling to make improvements. But things changed under the Grahams’ ownership. Today the park thrives with a new brand, large spacious pads, new bathhouse, new laundry facilities, secure mailroom, and an active social scene during the winter season. For all these reasons, the Vryhofs wanted to show their appreciation to the Grahams. 

While boondocking in the Florida Keys, George and Sandi discovered the colorful wooden Adirondack chairs by the Key Largo Adirondack Company and the idea was born to build the world’s largest Adirondack chair as a gift to park owners Mike and Susan.

The chair would be huge—maybe the largest in the world. And George would have help from Canadian residents over-wintering at Floridays—all first class craftsmen: 

Harold and Julia Post, Gervais and Suzanne Roy, and Bruno and Claudette Arseneau are friends and neighbors from the small village of Beresford, New Brunswick, Canada. Beresford is a seaside community on Chaleur Bay, one of the most beautiful bays in the world. They winter in Hobe Sound at Floridays RV Park and are often seen rushing over to help George with this or that task, whether it be shoveling dirt or any of the daily tasks needed to maintain the park grounds. 

Their plan to build “the largest adirondack chair in the world” was downsized after discovering that honor goes to a 26 foot chair! But the 8-foot-tall chair they did build took only three days to cut, form, prime and paint thanks to other Floridays residents such as Larry Bourgaize from Canada and Greg Lutzen from Connecticut who also pitched in to help.

When the chair was ready, except for the Floridays logo that will added later, residents gathered next to the park office to await the arrival of Mike and Susan who had been surreptitiously called to the park on a sunny Saturday morning on January 12, 2019, to receive “a gift” from George and Sandi in appreciation for their commitment to Floridays.

The following photos commemorate the unveiling of The Big Chair. Video of the unveiling, and Mike and Susan joyfully sliding onto the chair, are on our Facebook page.

To reserve a stay at Floridays, register well in advance on our website or call George at (772) 546-5060.

adirondack covered
Before the big reveal
Grahams sitting in chair
Susan and Mike try it out
Vryhof, Grahams, and the Canadians
Mike & Susan; Sandi & George