Deb Malewski
Contributing Writer 

(Deb Malewski/FAN – The DeLongs (from left) Laura, Mike and Sis, are eager to welcome visitors to their Haven.)

Mike and Laura DeLong have spent years building more than a farm. Their Onondaga Township property is home to Scottish Highland cattle, Angus cattle, donkeys, chickens, bees, and the kind of rural setting that draws visitors looking for a taste of country life.

The couple recently expanded that vision by constructing a gathering space where families, friends, and neighbors can create lasting memories. As the project heads to a fourth meeting before the Planning Commission, Laura remains hopeful township officials will see the value of the project and its potential to serve the community.

“We’re revitalizing the neighborhood,” Laura said. “The property was in terrible condition when we purchased it. What was once someone’s dream had deteriorated into a home without electricity or running water. Although we could have purchased the property at a tax sale a few months later, we chose to pay above market value so the owners could have an opportunity for a fresh start.”

“There was so much garbage that it took three machines and three people several weeks just to clear the land. On the first day of demolition, neighbors stood in the road cheering us on.”

Laura said the project has already created work for local contractors, tradespeople, suppliers, and local teenagers. She believes The Haven on Pine will continue to provide opportunities for local businesses and young people seeking part-time and seasonal jobs as the project evolves.

“What started as a simple farm stand has evolved into something much more than we originally imagined,” Laura said. “That’s how an entrepreneurial mind works. We see possibilities and opportunities and then we bring them to life.”

The Haven on Pine is envisioned as a place where people can gather, celebrate, learn, and make memories. The venue would host intimate weddings, family celebrations, educational classes, birthday parties, meetings, dances, and seasonal events, with overnight accommodations for guests to enjoy before and after their special occasions.

“This isn’t about hosting wild parties,” Laura explained. “It’s about creating a beautiful, welcoming space where people can connect with one another and enjoy the countryside.”

Laura has spent more than 23 years serving the area as a real estate broker and owner of DeLong & Co. in Eaton Rapids and is also a partner in Rise Up Homes. Mike has been a licensed builder for nearly 20 years. Together, they have built careers centered on improving properties, creating opportunities, and investing in the communities they serve. The Haven on Pine is a family project, with family members contributing their time, talents, and support to help bring the vision to life.

“I love taking a neglected property and transforming it into something beautiful,” Laura said. “Bringing new life to a place and seeing people enjoy it brings me so much joy.”

The DeLongs plan to attend the next Onondaga Township Planning Commission meeting on June 23, where they hope to receive approval for the project. Township officials were contacted for comment but did not respond.

If approved, the DeLongs hope to open The Haven on Pine in February 2027, coinciding with the celebration of their 35th wedding anniversary.