" Disappointed to here about the campground. We stay for a week every summer, heard last year that they were in trouble. Hopefully there is a "bailout" or a "recovery" in the future! Good luck to all who are affected by loss of income! "

" It looks like you will have to find yogi somewhere other than Warrens. "

" We've vactioned at Yogi since 1998 and our kids group up looking forward to that trip every year. We were one of the fortunate ones to see the writing on the wall and did not put a deposit down for next season. Somebody needs to buy the campground portion and "bring back the old Warrens Jellystone Park." And if any of the skatepark employees read this - you guys were awesome the few years it was open! I hope something can be down with that too! "

" i worked there before it became the monstrosity it is today. Van Der Molen is an idiot and jstone is one big sh**hole. We dumped so many things where the hotel used to be from tires, gas, oil, and w/e wasn't needed. Surprised it's not a hazardous site. They never treated the workers with much respect and paid next to nothing. Its not surprising they aren't paying the employees now. "

" very sad

just to let you know, I have name and phone of somebody who has 2 villas available if you and your party still want to go. "

" 1. We were told when we asked about the water that it would be left on through the 2nd weekend in October. Do I believe that? I am about 75% sure it came from a reliable source.
2. There were golf carts. I am not sure with the quantity of people, how many will be available. I do believe many of them are being taken away by the leasing company. "

" I'm sure glad they made such a bad decision. Now I don't have to drive to Tomah for quality healthcare. Too bad they don't offer psychological care. "

" The hospital made its own bed, it had a chance to convert one of the villas or even place a temporary facility out there. The administration at the hospital made this decision on its own. Poor management.... "

" When you were at jellystone campground last weekend did you find out if:
1) it was stated in the newspaper that the campground would be open to the "end of the season" - did you happen to find out if that meant to the "end of Cranberry Fest weekend" or to "water shutdown in the campground" which is usually after the second weekend in October. The past few years we have camped the first weekend of October for one of the "Halloween weekends". Last year there were "a lot" of people there, and several large groups. Which is why I am questioning what was meant by "end of the season". Even if the events aren't going on, it is a nice time of year in the area with the leaves changing.
2) were golf carts being checked out, or just campers being registered?
Thank you for any info. you may have. "

" I am sorry to heard the bad new,I work there for ten years ,Before it got out of hand.It was a nice place for people to go.I just thinkit got to big for a small town.maybe someday it will open again,my heart go out to ed and his family,they did try to make,. "

" If anybody is still looking for a unit, I may know of a unit that is still available. leave me your phone or email address, I will get it to you. "

" We rented a villa, too (and have been doing so for quite a few years). We received a phone call Sunday verifying our arrival and departure dates. Was this just an "automated" courtesy call that wasn't disabled kind of like their websites??? So, DOES ANYBODY KNOW FOR ABSOLUTELY SURE IF THE VILLAS RENTED OUT BY JELLYSTONE ARE SHUT DOWN FOR SURE????? "

" Andi, at least you got a call... We are a group of 20 that paid 3/4 of a 2,200 villa and we haven't heard a word. The only way we knew was from a nearby friend called us. I guess I am grateful we all didn't find out on the day we arrived. We have exhuasted all options and have decided to not attend cranfest this year. We all feel very bad for the local economy and the employees that have lost there jobs. Just from our group alone we have all always spent way over 600.00 each probably closer to a grand. so there's at least 15,000 that won't be there. I know alot went to vendors but alot did stay there. We will truly miss our weekend but we hope someone will get it up and running before next year. Good luck to all effected and we hope to see you all next year! "

" We were at Jellystone this weekend and the campground it still open and will be open for Cranfest. There were people there camping and people in the office to give out their reservations. "

" not Ed's choice for the hotel, Ed has no choice or say in the closing or anything with the hotel, HE HAS A INVESTOR THAT IS CONTROLLING THE HOTEL AND unsold villas. So hopefully "

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" It's called GREED, to big to fast. Selling villas that weren't even finished. Not paying employees, this happen 10 years ago, my girls worked there and were told they wouldn't get paid and I said then you aren't going to work!!! But they go paid. I heard they owe like 30 banks not 1. What now happens to the clinic that the hospital built out there, another thing us tax payers will have to eat the cost on by raising prices at the hospital in Tomah. What a problem and I bet it's just the tip!!! "

" How did you find out that you could still come and stay in the villa's? We recieved a phone call that said we do not have accommodations. "

" Just got a call that if u had a reservation in the Villas, you can still come. They will NOT be issuing refunds even if you have made other accommodations because of their closure. "

" I also have a reservation at Jellystone for Cranfest weekend. I know that the lodge is closed, and the articles are saying that the campground is open. Does anyone know if the cabins in the campground are going to be open for the people with reservations? I have a 3 hour drive and I really don't want to be surprised. It's a shame that they couldn't atleast notified people or put a recording on the phone about what is going on. What a mess this is going to be when people that have no idea what is happeing show up with no where to stay. "

" I agree with Mark. Let Cranfest buy it.

Also can they turn the sign off at least on the interstate. "

" Just because you had a villa rented through the resort doesn't mean that you have a place to stay. Unless you have had contact with the individual villa owner, you probably do not have a villa either. The park use to rent out the villas for the individual owners, now the villas are rented out privately. Hope you have a place to stay. "

" you can always campout at the nudist resort. "

" We have been camping at Jellystone for over 20 years. We noticed as things expanded, prices went up, the park got dirtier, and there were less activities. During our weekly stay this year we heard about the possible closing of the park if no sale. A lawyer with us told us not to make reservations becasue if it closed it would be in bankruptcy or foreclosure and we wouldn't get our money back. For once, than God for lawyers! "

" A lot of us are in a bad spot because of this my husband and a friend worked there. Jobs are hard to get in this town. I am not sure what we are going to do. "

" Cran Fest should purchase the hotel, change the name to CranFest Lodge and be done with it. Thats how they can help give back to the community. It would provide at least some of the jobs back, give the people coming a place to stay and show how much the Cran Fest event cares about community.

Ok...now back to reality. "

" I blame Bush. "

" Quit your damn crying. Just stay at home over cranfest weekend and save your money, you are going to need it once the depression hits. This would make all of the citizens of Warrens very happy. Why would you want to buy the vendors junk anyway? "

" Well, for 24 years (since I was born) my family has been there every summer for a week. I can only hope that a buyer with a mind for figures will come around and shape things up. The campground got too big too fast, and the vilas were over-priced for the middle class consumer, which most of their guests were.
I love how people here are blaming the banks on shutting them down. It's called living, and expanding within your means. If you only have $5 for lunch, you can only get $5 worth. Obviously the owner had accountants who are not worthy of the profession, and buisiness analysts who let things go beyond their means.
It's not the bank here people... the bank is also being shorted. "

" Ok, to clarify. The bank gave Jellystone 30 days notice of the foreclosure and Ed decided to close the park before that 30 days. It was entirely Ed's decision to close the park at the time he did.

I'm sure part of the problem is vendor payments. If he cant' pay the employees how much do you think the vendors were getting? Without clean linens, towels, LP gas, chlorine for the pools its' VERY difficult to keep that type of business functioning. My guess is that Ed didn't have a choice but to shut down early. Either way, the park - or the Jellystone corp should have made sure the arriving guests were notified before they left their home to travel to warrens. "

" From what I understand they are still working on the villa rentals. A bunch of the villas will still be rented out at Cranfest time. Many villas were owned by individual private people so were not included in the sale. If you are one of those villa renters, you might still have a reservation.
I called the Cranfest office and they have a list of cancellations on local rooms, vacant rooms at hotels and other options ready to help you if you need it. Things will not be as easy as just staying at the park, but at least people will have a place to stay.
By the way, Ed make the decision to close because he had gotten the foreclosure letter as stated in the paper. It appears in the paper that it was not the bank's idea, but Ed's to close. Unfortunate for all, but this whole situation is unfortunate. No one in the community wins. It's really sad. I think the important part will be how we handle ourselves and where we go from here. "

" You say what would it hurt to keep it open for another week until after Cranfest. Tell me who would work? From what I have read, the workers are not going to get paid for their last week of work. Why on earth would they want to work for nothing? I just feel bad for all the workers that lost there jobs and yes it is not right that all of the people that rented rooms did not even get a warning. Also, I know someone that had a big wedding reception planned up there this coming weekend. Now tell me how do you in such a short of time tell your guest the reception is elsewhere, let alone trying to find someplace to have the reception. Just bad all around. "

" If this is someones first time to cranfest it may also be their last - if they show up and there are not addequate accomadations! "

" I have not been notified that I no longer have lodging and I will have lost over $1000 (yea boo hoo for me). Since the employees arent even being paid for the work they have completed, I dont expect a refund and feel very bad for those people who lost their jobs but at least they were told! They (aka, the bank) could have just locked the doors and surprised the employees the next day just like what is going to happen to the paying guests. I only found out because of a family member who lives in the area notified me. Many other people I know have booked other places this week. How many people have no idea of this and will be in for a shock come next Thursday. And what if this is a big misunderstanding and the place is open next week. That would be just as bad as if it is closed for those who have already paid elsewhere in full.

How can the Bank and even officials of Monroe County knowingly let something like this happen? People will be pulling in on Thursday with their party hats on and then will be crushed to find out they have to turn around to try to find a close enough place with vacancies or just go home. Hasnt anyone out there heard of damage control? There seems to be management issues all over out there not just at Jellystone. I heard that the bank came in on Monday and told employees to go home, gave the paid guests til 8:00 to vacate the property and shut the place down. Someone needs to step up to the plate and take ownership of this messy situation and try to stablize instead of saying dont blame us and point fingers elsewhere. This issue is for sure to impact Cranfest and all of the surrounding communities and leave a bad taste for the out of town people. I also agree that the bank could have waited. They too are a part of this community and know the impacts this has on Cranfest and the entire community. I can only tell you that I would never let this happen in my own community. Only cowards sit back and watch things happen.... "

" Oh Banks are mean? What about the owner who knew at the end of July he had a problem, but did NOT refund people's money and inform them that is business might not be able to provide the rooms that he promised? People do have to pay their bills no matter who they are. Guess he didn't go to Federal Sec Paulson to get his free handout from the US government; handouts which by the way are going to come out of the taxpayers pocket. "

" I can only say that I find it very mean and rude for the banks to shut down this business 1 week before Cranfest. What would 1 more week harm anything! People have planned this for over a year, paid over hundreds of dollars to have an enjoyable weekend only to find out by mistake they have NO rooms. Now to try and get your money back and a new place to stay in less than a week. Go figure.. Who do we blame!!! I pitty the people who do not know and drive up there and find out then they have no place to stay and how inconsiderate this all was. I am one of the lucky soles who had a villa rented a year in advance and now hang in limbo. "