The Newsletter of the Property Owners Association

P.O. Box 427 Syracuse, IN 46567-0427 Phone: 574.457.7172 E-mail: [email protected] Web Address: www.wawaseepoa.org Fax: 574.457.2907 Fall 2016 WPOA Officers & Directors

Kay Young President

Carolyn Anderson Steve Snyder AT THE HELM — FALL 2016 James Tranter Vice Presidents By Kay Young, WPOA President from the parents that the kids are “reminding” them of Janet Hartley boating infractions that they either see while on the Administrative Officer LABOR DAY IS OVER…………the kids are back lake or that might be happening on their own boat in school and the lake is coming into one of its most (Mom, do you have enough live jackets for everyone?) Kip Schumm beautiful times of the year as the trees are turning col- But the lake patrol is also out there to handle difficult Communications Officer ors and quiet descends upon us. situations as well, from boating accidents to traffic in- Jerry Babb If you were here for Labor Day weekend you experi- fractions. Jane Finch enced one of the best, weather wise that we have had in The work of the patrol does not stop with Labor WACF Liaison years. The weather was perfect and many of you took Day either. They continue to be out on the lake during Chris Campbell advantage of it and enjoyed one last fling for the sea- the fall and then in the winter must attend the re- Fireworks Chairman son. With the warm temperatures the lake was a busy quired classes on safety and first aid to be able to be Garth McClain place, lots of activity all weekend including a large certified to be on the patrol, a big THANK YOU for Beth Morris showing of the wood boats on Sunday morning. all that you do. William Pipp Cindy Quinn Twenty-seven Woodies took part in the last “orga- Also a personal thank you to all the directors of this Jim Silcox nized” Thunder Run for 2016. Those of us with organization who helped out during the summer to Tom Tuttle II Woodies love the reception we get from all of you as make our activities successful. The Annual Breakfast, we are out for the weekly run of these classic boats. held at the Oakwood Resort, was well attended by resi- Jim Kroemer Want to see more of these beautiful boats? Check out dents of both Wawasee and Syracuse lakes. Always a LakeViews Editor Wawasee Wooden Boats on Facebook. Weekly postings fun time and a great place to meet new “neighbors” of the boats and those of you on shore enjoying the run and renew old friendships. The addition each year of David Grandstaff as well are fun to look at. The “Thunder Run” is fast the local not for profit groups is great and everyone en- Past President becoming a Wawasee tradition along with sailing re- joys seeing the fire trucks brought to the breakfast by The Papers Incorporated gattas, flags flying from our piers, great fireworks and our local department. And for the brave, you have a Publisher of LakeViews lots of summer fun! chance to take a ride in the bucket truck giving you a As the season winds down there are so many people great aerial view of the lake . . . thanks to them for In this Issue: to thank for making this summer happen for many of being there. us. Thanks to the Philharmonic for com- • WACF wins Chief Award First of all our Lake Patrol, 12 dedicated people ing each summer with their summer Pops concert. • Preserving the quality of our water that are out on the lake(s) helping to keep each of us With your support of the WPOA we are able give a • Summer was active for Trails safe. Safety is the primary focus of the lake patrol and generous donation to the philharmonic to help defray • Bob Dust recalls lake’s early days that is the part that each of our officers enjoys the the cost of the concert that so many enjoy each year. • Chautauqua schedules fall events most. Follow that later in the week with fantastic fire- • 3rd graders to visit WACF grounds One of the best parts comes in July when the Yacht works, some of the best in the state and the days sur- • Cruise combines history, ecology Club hosts their youth sailing classes. For four weeks, rounding our Independence celebrations are filled with • Blue-green algae on Syracuse Lake the young people of the area can come and learn to sail fun activities. • Little cottage, big gift and along with that our officers help out by talking to This year’s Annual Meeting was on board the SS • Centennial homes get plaques each class about boat safety, not just sailing safety. Lilypad. Up until just before cruise time the weather • WHS freshmen raft the lakes It must sink in to the kids as we hear afterwards Helm | page 3 WACF receives WPOA’s Chief Award

By Deb Patterson, The Mail-Journal generations to come and ensuring them of the clean pristine lake that we all love.” The rain moved on and the sun came out Past recipients of the Chief award include just in time for the Wawasee Property Owners Doug and Carolyn Anderson, the Sudlows, the annual dinner meeting aboard the SS Lilly Pad Rookstools, Dave Lichtenauer, Sen. Bob Saturday evening, Aug. 20. Meeks, Al Campbell, Dan Berkey, Dave The main event for the evening was the Grandstaff, Spike Ford, Mike Kiley, Bob Dick- announcement of the annual Chief Award re- erson, Dick Ruddel and Dick Green. cipient. This year’s award didn’t go to an indi- Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Center for vidual, but an organization which for 25 years Lakes & Streams, and Harwood both give short has looked after the quality of water flowing reports on their respective organizations and into and in . Wawasee Area Con- servancy Foundation was presented the 2016 Chief Award. Heather Harwood, WACF execu- tive director, accepted the award. Kay Young, president of the WPOA board Kay Young presents the Chief Award to of directors, stated the award has been given Heather Harwood, executive director of the since 2006, honoring a person or an entity “in WACF. our community who has given their time and talent to the community but also to help pre- tect the lake, keep the water quality clean. We serve Lake Wawasee and over the years have sure appreciate the threesome between the shown how much they love and support our Center for Lakes & Streams and the WPOA.” lake.” Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College, accepts a The annual meeting is also the time for $5,000 donation from Kay Young. election of board members. This year, terms for four individuals — Kip Schumm, Tom Tuttle, some of the work being done. Following their Cindy Quinn and Jerry Babb, were up for re- presentations, Young presented each group election. Schumm and Tuttle both agreed to with a $5,000 check toward projects. serve another three years, however Quinn and Bosch referred to Dick Green’s analogy of Babb retired from the board. Sherry Johnson the center being part of a triangle of groups and Scott Laughner were elected as new board concerned about the lake — working with the members. WPOA and WACF on research and issues. A total of 113 people enjoyed a dinner that “You need the three components. We all have included roast pork, chicken, herbed red pota- our unique expertise and focuses, but when we toes, green bean almandine and cookies for Jerry Babb was honored by WPOA Presi- work all together that is where we will see the dessert. A cash bar was offered. After the busi- dent Kay Young for his service on the board biggest change in the lakes.” ness meeting the remainder of the evening was of directors. Harwood also noted the support of the spent enjoying the three-hour cruise around WPOA and the center on issues of importance. Lake Wawasee and socializing with neighbors She stated this year “we’re going to honor, “We’re continuing our projects to try to pro- and friends kind of, one of our own. Twenty-five years ago, forward thinking members of the WPOA real- ized there was a need to have an organization to guard our lakes and that would be their only Calendar of job. That was more than the WPOA could do and at that point the WACF was born from those people.” Events 2016 Young stated without the hard work of each of the members of the WACF board, past October 12 Third grade field trip, WACF and present, “We would not be able to enjoy October 15 &16 Falltastic Walk, WACF, 12 - 4 p.m. the beautiful waters tonight that we are float- October 26 Heroin & Prescription Painkillers, Chautauqua program, Oakwood ing on, their continued oversight of the water- shed in preserving these waters for future November 19 Improv comedy night, Oakwood

2 WACF marks 25 years of preserving our lakes

By David Brandes heavy rain event, he took it to the board of WACF Board Member WPOA. They decided to create a separate or- ganization to study this and other threats to Water....the basis of all life on earth. our lakes and WACF was born in 1991. Our with less pollution in the lakes at our headwa- Without clean water, we would find life diffi- founders were special people determined to ters and thereby less into Wawasee and Syra- cult if not impossible. create an organization to help protect our cuse Lakes. So when 25 years ago, Dr. George Irm- lakes. We all owe thanks to our board member scher took a photo of the brownish flow from At first the usual baby steps were taken Nick Stanger for his help and leadership in Enchanted Hills into Lake Wawasee after a and WACF was given its first piece of prop- guiding this through to completion. He has erty where our large sign sits on Conklin Bay spent most of his nine year term on our board Helm | page 1 at the SR 13 curve. This was donated by dedicating his efforts to overseeing this proj- Mamie Long. ect. was doubtful but the skies brightened and we In 1996 WACF commissioned its first Since those early days and through many had a very enjoyable trip. Over 100 enjoyed a Watershed Diagnostic Feasibility Study to boards and committees, the mission of WACF cruise, good food and company on our beauti- guide us through the future. A Diagnostic remains and will continue to be preserving ful lake. Feasibility Study is like a road map in some and enhancing the Wawasee area watershed I also want to thank the WACF for being ways. It showed WACF the limits of our wa- for present and future generations. there helping to protect the quality of our lake. tershed and which properties in this area were We have faced many different problems Over the last 25 years this organization has contributing to some of our problems. over the 25 years - excess sediment coming grown from just an idea of several concerned It also told us which streams were causing into our watershed, phosphorus overload from lake owners to the driving force in the protec- the most problems for our lakes and priori- fertilizers used in farming and in lawn appli- tion of our watershed. Without their continued tized them for us. This report, which we still cation, invasive weeds and algae blooms to oversight of the quality of our water we would use today along with our Watershed Manage- mention a few. not have the pristine lake waters that we have ment Plan, has been our guidepost to know- The greatest threat to our water quality to enjoy and play on. Watch for lots of exciting ing where our problems are and what to do happened a few years ago when a permit was things from them in the next years. with the lands and streams surrounding our granted for a Confined Feed Operation for Coupling that with ongoing research from watershed. hogs. This was to be less than one mile from Grace College and the Center for Lakes & This has taken time, effort and lots of our eastern shore and 65 feet above our lake Streams, we have to be the “most” studied lake money which all of you and others no longer level straddling Wawasee’s major supply in the state. All of this is only possible with with us have provided generously. You give streams, Turkey Creek and Dillon Creek, and your generous donations to each of these because you love these lakes and want to pass sitting near the on the southeast cor- groups . . . the TRIANGLE of the three organ- on a legacy for your kids and grandkids. ner of Wawasee. izations is truly needed to keep Lake Wawasee WACF does many things besides land pur- WACF worked hard to stop it and find an the prize that it is. chase. We have a very active Ecology commit- acceptable solution. We incurred significant So while many of you are back home, back tee which under Diana Castell has brought us expense, and two years later, with your finan- to your schedules of school, jobs, just a busier Lake, Talk and Eats on Saturdays in the sum- cial support, we were able to find a solution life now that summer is gone, we hope that mer. Our Education committee under Pam that prevented the hog farm and stopped ir- you have had a good summer here, that you Schumm has brought us an active children's reparable damage to our precious resource. enjoyed the activities that we have had as well education program which has touched the There will always be ecological threats to as all the wonderful times that you had in your lives of more than 2,500 kids and adults so far clean water worldwide but in our watershed own homes with family and friends. this year. your WACF, with your financial help, will al- Lake Wawasee is a place that gets into our We also have ongoing projects to help ways be there on guard ready to react and pro- hearts and souls so if you are away for the next control sediment load from coming into tect our clean waters we call home. few months I wish for you lots of great memo- Wawasee and Syracuse lakes. WACF provided We've spent the past 25 years diagnosing ries of the past season as well good thoughts of the seed money for the sewer project for and treating threats to our watershed, but what is to come here at our beautiful lake. Knapp Bause Harper Property Owners Asso- with your help we will look forward to the Remember ……….“If you are lucky ciation and the Knapp Lake Area Conservancy next 25 years of continued watchfulness for enough to be at the lake ………… you are District. Later this year, they will go on their the future of our kids, grandkids and great lucky enough!” new sewer system benefiting us downstream grandchildren.

3 Syracuse-Wawasee Trails committee reflects on successful summer

By Megan McClellan annual Tour des Lakes bike ride this summer Executive Director Syracuse-Wawasee Trails broke all previous records for attendance and funds raised. As the weather begins to cool, we reflect This year is ’s bicentennial and to back on the busy summer and look ahead to celebrate Shari Wagner, Indiana’s poet laureate, new opportunities. led a walk around Syracuse Lake. It was an This summer we hosted several successful honor to have her. We also had a great time at events and we worked on improving safety the inaugural Car Show at Oakwood Resort. A throughout the trail system. Looking ahead, new tradition has been born. we need your help to raise the funds necessary Don’t forget our weekly Wednesday Walks. to begin construction on the Conklin Bay During the winter we leave the Community boardwalk. While we work on fundraising, we Center at 1 p.m. every Wednesday to explore continue to look at opportunities to continue the trail at a nice relaxed pace. Check our Face- the trail around Lake Wawasee. book page if you are unsure about the weather. The second annual Tails and Trails com- Every year the trail committee hosts some People use our trail map to identify safe munity dog walk was a huge success this of the same events and brings on new events. routes to walk or bike between many different summer. Both the second annual Tails and Trails com- locations. This amenity is something that we munity dog walk in the spring and the seventh should be very proud of. A problem arises, ing $580,000, we have already raised over however, when some of the routes marked on $200,000. Your contribution, of any size, is the map are not as safe as they may be por- greatly appreciated. If you would like to in- trayed. This fact, and a lot of community spire your neighbors by providing the next input, led us to widen and raise the trail along matching grant, please contact the executive road. It has also helped our case with director. INDOT regarding the crossing of SR 13 at There is a large need for a trail along Pickwick Road. INDOT will be installing a Vawter Park road and, in some fashion, to con- pedestrian light at that location soon. nect the middle school to the existing trail sys- The Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail will tem. We have strong community support for be a tremendous asset to our community. It this section but, as yet, no clear idea of how to will connect residents along almost two miles accomplish our goals. If you would be inter- of Lake Wawasee’s southern shore to the ested in being part of the team to work on the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation prop- design of this section (or any other up-coming erty and the town of Syracuse, in a safe, off- section), please let the executive director know. road manner. The estimated cost for this It is free to use the trails but trail building project is $1.7 million dollars. This fall and and maintenance are not free. We are very Participants in the seventh annual Tour winter, the trail committee will be applying thankful for the many generous donations des Lakes bicycle ride. for over $1 million in grants. Of the remain- which we have received. Please consider mak- ing a tax-deductible donation now. For more information or to become more involved, please check out our website (www.syracusewawaseetrails.com) where you A portion of can sign up to receive our quarterly newsletter, the improved either by e-mail or post. Be sure to also “like” and widened us on Facebook to be in the loop on trial con- section of trail struction and events. Our meetings are also al- along Eli Lilly ways open to the public: third Monday of the Road. month, 6 p.m. at the director’s new office, 801 North Huntington St. (above the Down Under). Happy Trails!

4 Yacht Club presents sailing awards; recounts successful junior program

The summer of 2016 was another busy and Third Place — WA 8 J.B. Vanmeter, people youth participated in the Goshen “Fi- very successful one for the Wawasee Yacht skipper and Brian Sarber and Chris Knight. dler Pond” WYC sailing program this summer. Club and its members. Fourth Place — WA 00 David Irmscher, WYC has also partnered with Wawasee In addition to another competitive year of skipper and crew Steve Bonifas and Mert/Judy High School to provide a fall sailing program racing, the club’s junior sailing program Wolfe. that runs from August thru October and is co- taught sailing and seamanship to 144 young- Fifth Place — WA 99 Casey Call, skipper, ordinated by Janay Hackelman Training is di- sters on Lake Wawasee and another 45 on Fi- and crew Michael Herdrich, John Call and rected by Jeff Herdrich with support from dler Pond in Goshen. Louis Desenberg. Rick Lemberg, Sr. Here are the award winners and season Silver Fleet Club Champion — WA 17 The Junior Sailing program continues to standings for the club. Hackelman Family (Todd, Chris, Scott, Jim grow each year and not only prepares youth for Cynthia’s Cup: Bill Allen, multi crew skip- and Bob). the sport of sailing but instills the Corinthian per, Lightening fleet, and Dick Tillman, single Second Place — WA 51 Andy Allen, Spirit known as the highest display of sports- crew skipper, fleet. skipper and crew Emily Allen. manship. The WYC Junior program prides it- Eli Lilly, who had founded the earlier Third Place — WA 200 Rick Lemberg self on playing a significant role in the Wawasee Yacht and Canoe Club in the 1890’s Sr., skipper and crew Ryan Brandenberger and building of character in youth through our and had traditionally sailed boats named “Cyn- Allen Wright Junior Sailing Program. thia,” bequeathed the sterling silver Cynthia’s FLEET AWARDS The Wawasee Yacht Club currently has Cup to the WYC in 1949. The bequest stated Club Champion — Bill Allen, skipper four active sanctioned fleets, E with 17 that the cup was to be given annually to the and crew Carla/CJ Szeplaki and Bryan Bahler. participants, I Scows with nine participants, season’s highest ranked skipper. Today the tra- Second Place — Brad Wagnon and John Lightning with seven participants, and Sunfish dition continues with the trophy being shared McClain, skippers, and crew. with seven participants. by the top skippers in single-handed and Third Place — George and Fred Bucking- The club is currently evaluating a second multi-crewed fleets. ham, skippers, and crew. expansion that will allow it to continue to ex- Alfred & Tag Snook Memorial award, Jun- SUNFISH FLEET AWARDS pand social activities, fleet regattas, and the ior Sailing Award for overall excellence in sail- Club Champion — Dick Tillman. Junior Racing and Training programs. ing was presented to Wes Rapp. Second Place — Brad Wagnon. The club continues to reach out to the Lake B. W. Duck Memorial Junior Sailing Third Place — Mert Wolfe. Wawasee and Syracuse lake property owners Award for the overall top sailor participating The club’s junior sailing program was coor- and nearby towns to encourage and promote in the Junior Sailing Training program was dinated this year by Jeff Schmahl. Jeff Her- the sport of sailing competition and general presented to Brooke Banta. drich was in charge of training with support enjoyment on Lake Wawasee. E FLEET AWARDS from previous Junior Sailing graduates. New members both social and racing are Gold Fleet Club Champion — WA 47 This year, 144 young people participated in welcome. Visit the WYC website for member- Bob Herdrich, skipper, and crew Bill Pipp, the WYC sailing program, which runs for four ship information and details on social activities John Herdrich, Chelsea Pipp. (Third consecu- weeks in July. There are limited slots open so and the racing schedule. tive club championship). visit the WYC website (www.wawaseeyacht- Become a member, meet new lake friends, Second Place — WA 22 Dick Tillman, club.com) and find out how to enroll your Jun- and learn to sail for fun and/or competition or skipper, and crew Bob Fanning and Brian Fan- ior Sailor early in the spring of 2017. just plain enjoy the pleasure of watch the rac- ning. In addition to Lake Wawasee, 45 young ers glide across the water silently.

Participants in the Wawasee Yacht Club’s Jun- ior sailing program learn sailing and seamanship in the annual four-week sail- ing school sponsored by the club.

5 Local painter recalls growing up on the lake

By Mary Hursh, The Mail-Journal kitchen and expanded the two bedrooms and one bath. “My sister slept with my parents and I There are two horseshoes nailed over the slept with my brother and my grandfather, cottage and garage doors at Pier 689, the small Charles Heidin. Six people lived here. We all cottage Bob Dust, a long-time local painter, has used two small closets,” said Bob. called home since 1939. “My dad nailed those Cottages at the lake in the 1940s were not up over 70 years ago, and they are still there for air conditioned. “I have never lived in air condi- luck,” said Dust. tioning. Every store had screens. We got in the Dust was born in Chicago, in 1930. His fa- shade. We just lived in the heat.” Because they ther, Fred, was a painter and his mother, Esther, often sat outside on a swing, they could hear the was a housewife. Fred purchased Pier 689, a music coming across the lake from the Waco channel-front cottage between Wawasee and Dance Hall. “It was a simpler life 75 years ago . Syracuse lakes, in time for Bob to start the . . a better life.” eighth grade. The price was $1,500 for the cot- Locals know Bob and his father Fred C., as tage and $300 for the garage lot! the father and son painting team. “I started to At the time of purchase, the cottage was al- work when I was 12. I used the money I made ready about 15 years old. The garage, with a painting to buy my clothes and school books. chicken coop above, was built in 1940. “The Back then, if you could afford to buy a pop and chickens and two turkeys we kept never a candy bar, you were a fortunate kid.” touched the ground. We went up there and Bob graduated from Syracuse High School gathered the eggs.” Bob’s mother did the laun- in 1947 and officially joined his father in the dry in the garage using channel water Bob painting business. “The day after high school, dipped from the lake. “Mom used a wash tub my old man gave me a paint brush and said Bob Dust and wringer. The water was a lot cleaner when I ‘There is the world! Go make a living.’” was a child. I drank it straight from my hand.” Bob and his father were the highest-priced I remember that the mattresses on the beds said Bob. painters of their time. “People would schedule rested on old ropes and strings.” Bob remem- In the early years, the family cottage was us four or five years ahead because they knew we bers that they painted the Oakwood Hotel for more like a garage than a true lake cottage. “It did quality work. Dad was a perfectionist. We 60 cents an hour. was not finished. There was a sink and the pipe did not slide anything.” Bob Dust never took a vacation. “We never ran out into the channel. The road ended at our The Dust team worked for Eli Lilly from had paid vacations or unemployment checks. driveway. Everyone had an outhouse.” 1949 until his death in 1977. “Mr. Lilly was a The quality of our work provided painting and To accommodate the family, Fred added a wonderful man. We worked on all his cottages. restoration jobs for us.” Bob said they even, at times, burned off the old paint first with a blow These photos show the Dust cot- torch to get down to the wood.” We were very tage, Pier 698, on the main Channel careful!” between Lake Wawasee and Syra- In 1951, Bob was drafted into the Army and cuse Lake as it looks today (left) and headed to Korea. He served with the 31st Regi- as it looked many years ago (below). mental Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. Bob Dust’s father, Fred, purchased “Front line troops got four points a month. the cottage in 1939 for $1,500. Thirty-six points were needed to rotate out, and I did so in nine months. I was very fortunate. I was proud to serve. I think all young people should serve in the military.” His monthly com- bat pay was $25. Bob was discharged in 1953. For the past 25 years, Bob has enjoyed his retirement at the lake. Lunches at Chubbies, a local restaurant next to the bowling alley, are highlights because he joins his niece, Robin, and her husband plus many friends for cheese- burgers and French fries. “I used to eat two cheeseburgers and fries. Now I only eat one cheeseburger. Two were far better than one!”

6 Chautauqua hosts fall events

Chautauqua Wawasee will host two support the implementation of commu- events at the Oakwood Resort events center nity action plans; and this fall, one deadly serious and the other ex- • Work with others in the community tremely funny. to combat the issue through mobilizing community efforts. register, visit www.chqw.org or e-mail jwel- Heroin-Painkiller Presentation The event will be moderated by Rodger [email protected]. On Wednesday, Oct. 26, a presentation Dinwiddie from Hazelden Publishing, and entitled “Heroin and Prescription will feature addiction professionals and com- Improv Night Painkillers: A Time for Community Action” munity leaders who will share expertise on On Saturday, Nov 19, from 7-9 p.m. will take place from 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. this serious issue. Chautauqua-Wawasee invites the public to Organized by Chautauqua-Wawasee, the Featured speakers will include Tony the Oakwood Events Center for a night of presentation is co-sponsored by Parkview Ciriello, Kosciusko County Coroner; Megan laughs with regional comedy improvisa- Warsaw, Hazelden Pub- Fisher, of The Bowen Center; Deborah tional groups. lishing, Bowen Center, The Rose Home, and McMahan, MD, Fort Wayne-Allen County Featured groups will include Pickapart, Waters Edge Recovery. Health Department; Jeff Mullins, of Waters Main on Main and GoProv from South Each organization attending will receive Edge Recovery; R.J. Nethaway, of the War- Bend. a copy of “Heroin and Prescription saw Police Department; Beth Seabolt, of the The cost is $5 per person and concessions Painkillers: Toolkit for Community Action” Rose Home North; and Greg Zoeller, Indi- will be available. The event is co-sponsored to supplement implementation of the ac- ana Attorney General. by the Kosciusko Community Foundation. tions plans that will be developed during Registration begins at 8 a.m. The cost is For more information, call 574-377- the event. $10 per person, which includes lunch. To 7789 or 574-377-7543. Individual participants will also receive a certificate of completion with 5.25 clock hours awarded. After attending this event, participants WACF plans fall will be able to: • Understand the history, current use and impact of heroin and prescription educational events painkillers on our communities; • Identify resources for opioid use pre- The Wawasee Area Conservancy Founda- vention, intervention and referral to treat- tion has scheduled two education events in ment to help plan and implement local October. prevention efforts; On October 12, all Syracuse Elementary • Develop a community-based action School third graders will participate in a plan for addressing the opioid epidemic; field trip to the WACF property south of • Effectively use the “Heroin and Pre- Syracuse along SR 13. The young students scription Painkillers: Toolkit for Commu- will learn about and experience nature, and nity Action” with its accompanying video to will participate in several activities includ- ing the study of trees, macro-invertebrates, WPOA now nature art and a scavenger hunt. On October 15 and 16 the WACF Fall- on Facebook Tastic Trail Walk will take place from noon until 4 p.m. each day. The Wawasee Property Owners Associa- Again, the event will take place at the tion has officially joined the 21st Century. WACF property. The WACF trails will be We now have a page on Facebook. open for anyone to walk and enjoy nature, Please like our page so you can get up- fall colors and learn a little bit about how dates as they appear. organisms get prepared for winter. WPOA also now has a PayPal account so Decorations will be placed along the trail This scarecrow is just one of the decora- you can make donations or pay your dues for interesting photo opportunities and just tions along the WACF trails during last that way in the future. pure enjoyment. Refreshments will be avail- year’s FallTastic Trail Walk. The walk is able in the Ruddell Pavilion. scheduled again this year on Oct. 15 and 16.

7 Wawasee centennial cottages recognized

By Martha Stoelting The Mail-Journal Staff Writer

Centennial Lake Wawasee cottages were honored by the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum during a presentation by the owners on their homes. The awards were given Satur- day, July 23, at the Syracuse Community Cen- ter, home of the museum. All the homes are 100 years old or more and carry the history of many inhabitants. Some have remained in the same families the entire time. Coauthor of “Syracuse and Lake Wawasee” Awards were presented to the owners of some of the Lake Wawasee centennial cottages by the with Erin Lomax, Ann Vanderford Garceau in- Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum during a program on the homes. In front, from left, are home- troduced and organized the program. owners Jean Kennedy, Jim Fick, Karen Griffith and Terry Griffith. In back are Mary Lou Dixon, Something that astonished some in atten- Ken Boles, Debby Leonard, Tim Needler and Dan Kiley. It is hoped recognition will encourage dance was the fact that Syracuse Lake and Lake restoration of older homes rather than destruction. (Mail-Journal photo by Martha Stoelting) Wawasee were both originally part of Turkey Lake, the original name. The railroad divided Kiley to the podium. The Kiley cottage has Retired local history teacher Mary Lou them in the public’s mind but not in the way been in the family for 102 years and was con- Dixon is a descendant of the three brothers who the water flows. The dam in Syracuse controls structed in 1892. Subsequent generations are founded Vawter Park. She still owns the origi- the water level of both lakes. continuing the tradition. The famous comedy nal Vawter cottage from 1888 on Lake Wawasee Garceau noted, “According to George Miles, duo of Abbott and Costello once spent the night and lives in the former school that served the in 1886 Turkey Lake had 17 villages with about there. Vawter Park community. 700 residents and five large hotels. That is quite The Ideal Beach area was originally farm- Ken Boles’ family has owned their Highland a change from today.” land with the farmhouse now the Anchor Inn View cottage since 1951. It was built in 1897 Tim Needler represented the Needler family Bed & Breakfast owned by Jean and Bob and one time served as a restaurant. He dis- cottage on the north shore of Lake Wawasee, Kennedy. It once occupied the lake front but played a sign advertising chicken dinners that built in 1895. A Power Point presentation the lots between it and the shore were subse- was found in the cottage. The home next door showed how the family has maintained the orig- quently subdivided and sold. Jean Kennedy de- was an inn and is widely known as the “tooth- inal features and design. scribed and showed how the home has been pick” house because of its angular structure. Pickwick Park on Kale Island brought Dan kept and added onto in a complementary style. Debby Boles Leonard is the owner. Terry and Karen Griffith’s home is on the peninsula that contains the bridge to Morrison Island. It is the oldest structure represented Food pantry could use your help starting life as a barn in 1837. While remodel- One of the town of Syracuse’s most worth- products for families in our community.” ing, they found the original log beams under- while organizations is seeking help from sum- Traci said the food pantry currently pro- neath that are still in place holding the home mer residents of lake Wawasee and Syracuse to vides food for up to 140 families a month. together. It is near the Natti Crow sheep dip feed hungry families in the area Traci can be reached at 574-457-5450 or area on the lake. The Syracuse Food Pantry Inc., 203 E. 574-518-1468. The Natti Crow home is well known be- Main St., provides food and paper products for cause of its previous life as a yacht club but it families in the community and welcomes both remains in the Crow family. The first part was monetary and food donations. constructed around 1848 and the Crow family Traci Helton, director of the Food Pantry, moved into it from their log cabin. A project is said, “it is that time of the year when our do- underway to restore it according to Crow de- nations are at their lowest. We always seem to scendant Jim Fick. hit a rough patch at this time of the year and The museum hopes preservation of local her- would like to remind or let new people know itage will come to mind when some of the older we are here and still providing food and paper cottages around Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake are sold and they will be restored instead of destroyed.

8 There are 35 homes more than 100 years old on Lake Wawasee. This particular home still had the original wood log construction. Unfortunately, the home was torn down this fall.

WACF cruise combines history, ecology

By Deb Patterson land View Gardens, All Saint’s Episcopal 33 percent of the lake’s shoreline has been The Mail-Journal Church, Vawter Park, Ideal Beach, Lake- converted to the glacial rock or natural view Hotel and other interesting points shoreline. The first Wawasee Area Conservancy along the way. Bosch provided a history of water test- Foundation Lilly Pad Cruise, as part of its Among the information Garceau pre- ing on the lake and research. He also annual summer Lake Talk and Eats, ap- sented were the numerous hotels found showed the various equipment used in the pears to have been a success with a boat around the lake at one point. She stated water testing — Secchi disc to test water full of people of all ages participating. The they have found at least 34 homeson the clarity, the fluorometer to test blue-green cruise combined lake history with the lake that are more than 100 years old. Sev- algae, a quanta meter to check oxygen lev- ecology of the lake through WACF pro- eral of these homes were pointed out as els, temperatures and more and the appa- grams and research by the Center for Lakes well as one home, which still has its log ratus used to gather water samples. & Streams. construction under modern siding. The cruise also included lunch and cash Ann Vanderford Garceau, of the Syra- Szynal, Castell and Harwood included bar. cuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, pre- information on the foundation’s history, Approximately 110 people participated sented a condensed version of the Wawasee natural shorelines, preservation in the event with Harwood noting this Historical Tour. Joan Szynal, president of and eco zones. Szynal and Bill Hess noted event may be repeated in the future. the WACF; Diana Castell, WACF educa- tion committee; Heather Harwood, WACF executive director; and Dr. Nate Important Wawasee Web sites Bosch, director of the Center for Lakes & Streams at Grace College, provided narra- Wawasee Property Owners Association Oakwood Resort tives throughout the two-hour cruise. www.wawaseepoa.org www.oakwoodresort.com Also included in the cruise was a water Center for Lakes and Streams sampling taken off Waco Point to demon- Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation www.wacf.com www.water.grace.edu strate the equipment and give guests an Kosciusko County Cancer Care Fund opportunity to see, touch and smell the Wawasee Flotilla water. While the lake’s deepest point was www.wawaseeflotilla.com www.cancercarefundkc.org not reached, the sampling was taken at a Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum depth of 45 feet. Chautauqua Wawasee www.syracusemuseum.org Garceau provided historical facts about www.chqw.org the Oakwood Hotel, Kale Island, Pick- Wawasee Navy SEAL Foundation wick Park, Willow Grove, Sargent Hotel Syracuse/Wawasee Trails wawaseenavysealfoundation.org and the Wawasee Depot, Lilly estates, www.syracusewawaseetrails.com To have your web site added to this Cedar Beach, Spink-Wawasee Hotel, Ogden Island, Cedar Point, Natti Crow Wawasee Yacht Club list, please contact the editor at www.wawaseeyachtclub.com and the sheep wash, Morrison Island, But- [email protected]. termilk Point and Johnson’s Hotel, High-

9 New type of blue-green algae found in Syracuse Lake

Text and Photos By Deb Patterson The Mail-Journal

The annual meeting of the Syracuse Lake Association on August 6 included news of a Dr. Nate Bosch new type of algae being found in Syracuse explains the appear- Lake. ance of starry Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Center for stonewort. Lakes & Streams at Grace College, presented a program on current threats and strategic ef- forts of the center on Syracuse Lake, which in- cluded the starry stonewort application research and blue-green algae study. The blue- green algae study includes weekly sampling of is happening in southern Florida, and degrees at the same time last year. “We know the lake. It was during this sampling that a other states from happening locally. He stated the blue-green algae loves warm water. This is reddish purple algae was discovered. there are three blue-green algae sampling sites why we’re staying laser focused on the blue- “That’s a new species we’ve never seen be- on Syracuse Lake, and the blue-green algae green algae threat.” fore on Syracuse Lake and it just popped up. makes up 81 percent of the algae on the lake Prior to Bosch’s presentation, Becky Fox, It’s a blue-green algae, it’s a benthic algae, right now. SLA president, reviewed activities of the organ- which means it grows from the bottom, and He also addressed starry stonewort, which ization during the past year. A presentation we saw it growing down to nine feet of water,” originally came to Lake St. Clair in was given by Nate Shoemaker on the fireworks said Bosch. in 1986. He noted this invasive species came and Megan McClellan, executive director for He explained the purpose of the blue-green from Europe where it is now an endangered the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails gave a brief pres- algae research is to look for drivers for the species. It came to Lake Wawasee and Syracuse entation. algae production, rapid screening techniques, in 2011. “While it is something we don’t want It was also reported five new buoys will be why it sometimes chooses to produce toxins to see in the lake, it is an indicator the lake is purchased and crews have been working on re- and sometimes not. “We’re getting really close getting cleaner.” moving offensive graffiti found on the railroad to figuring out why it would do that. It would A description of the plant and its harm to bridge. have huge impacts around the world.” the lakes was noted. “Management is uncer- Bosch stated the purpose for the research tain. There are still a lot of questions on how on blue-green algae is proactive; to keep what fast we can control it.” He presented a current WPOA map, which showed 210 acres of starry stonewort on Syracuse Lake. Current research is focused on developing the means to control the looking spread of the plant. 2012 Bosch said the strategy of the center is re- for old search to solve problems strategically and not emotionally, identify emerging threats, educa- tion to inspire the next generation and collabo- directories ration. Water is sampled weekly on Syracuse Lake, The WPOA is still accepting dona- which he said is like a routine doctor’s physi- tions of old Neighbors directories. If you cal. At each sampling there are 280 measure- have Neighbors books from the 70’s and ments taken and compared to the previous 80’s especially that you would be willing week’s findings. Biweekly there are stream to donate for our archives please call the samplings. WPOA office (574-457-7172) and some- Sharing some of the findings, Bosch stated one will be happy to pick them up. the clarity of the lake is increasing, now at 13 We get frequent requests from our feet, making it one of the clearer lakes in the members who want to look up the history county. Also of interest are the temperature of their homes and our collection is miss- Becky Fox, Syracuse Lake Association readings. The surface water temperature in ing a few copies. president, recapped the year. early August was 83 degrees compared to 79

10 Little cottage, big gift

Mrs. Lyle* owned a lake cottage in tion. The Community Foundation sold the Kosciusko County that had been in her property to a happy buyer ready to fix up family for many, many years. the cottage and enjoy lake living. The pro- She had been renting out the cottage, ceeds of the sale went into two endowment but didn’t need the rental income. In fact, funds established by Mrs. Lyle. she felt she couldn’t charge much rent be- The first endowment is a Community cause the cottage needed quite a few re- Fund that will meet the changing needs of homemade cookies she brings us)! pairs. Thanks to careful planning by Mrs. Kosciusko County, forever. The second en- If you are interested in making a gift of Lyle and her late husband, her financial fu- dowment will provide scholarships to real estate, we are happy to talk with you ture was secure. She was at the age when Kosciusko County students for skilled and your professional advisor about how she wanted to be rid of the responsibility trades or technical training, forever. your gift can make a difference, preserve of caring for the cottage and she was giv- Mrs. Lyle is thrilled to have found a your legacy, and offer you maximum tax ing her legacy some serious thought. good use for the family cottage. She loves advantages. No cookies required! Learn Mrs. Lyle’s attorney suggested she con- knowing that her gift will help people more at www.kccfgift.org. sider gifting the property to charity. In right here in her community long after *This is a real story about a real donor, 2015, Mrs. Lyle gifted the property to the she’s gone. We are deeply grateful to Mrs. but her name has been changed for this ar- Kosciusko County Community Founda- Lyle for her generous donation (and for the ticle. Memorial benches honor Oakwood giants

Three giants of Oakwood’s history on Lake Church for 14 years. He worked closely with Wawasee are being honored with memorial the Brembecks and others to restore Oakwood benches on the grounds of the Oakwood Re- and is credited with founding Boat-In worship sort, and the public is invited to participate. on the shore in front of the Oakwood Inn. Rev. Kennard (Ken) Robinson and brothers Plans call for the purchase and placement Cole S. Brembeck and Howard S. Brembeck, of three granite benches as a memorial tribute are all credited with playing major roles in the to these three men, and to their extraordinary Museum features development of Oakwood and its continuing contributions to the beauty and welfare of the story over the generations. Syracuse-Wawasee area. 100-year-old homes Howard Brembeck, who passed away in To fund this project, the Syracuse-Wawasee 2010 at the age of 100, and his wife Myra con- Chamber of Commerce is selling pavers to be “If Walls Could Talk,” a Syracuse-Wawasee tributed $22 million for the construction of placed around the benches. At $75 apiece, the Historical Museum program featuring 100 the current Oakwood Inn and other structures purchase of one or more pavers will enable sup- year-old homes on Lake Wawasee, brought and improvements on the property. He also porters to not only support this project, but more than 60 people to the Syracuse Commu- provided vision and leadership to Oakwood’s also to memorialize their own loved ones by nity Center on July 27. renewal. having the name of the person inscribed on Ann Vanderford Garceau introduced eight While Howard provided the necessary each paver purchased. homeowners to the audience. Each shared the funds, Cole Brembeck contributed ideas, vi- The lives of all who reside in and/or enjoy history of his, or her, lake home. A “Centennial sion, enthusiasm and administrative skills to the resources of this town and its lakes have Home” plaque was presented to each family to the project to bring Oakwood back from its been enriched in some way by the vision and recognize their efforts at honoring history by rundown condition. respective personal and financial legacies for preserving their historic homes for the enjoy- He envisioned a magnificent new inn that this community left by Ken, Cole and ment of future generations. would be the centerpiece for the transforma- Howard. So far, the museum has compiled a list of at tion of Oakwood into a high quality conference If you are interested in purchasing one or least 30 lake homes that are over 100 years- and retreat center. Cole passed away in 1996. more pavers, please contact the Syracuse- old. These, as well as centennial homes in Syra- Rev. Robinson, who died in 2013, was a Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, info@sw- cuse, will be presented in future programs by close friend and confidant of both Howard and chamber.com, to receive a form and the museum and individual home owners. Cole and served as pastor of Calvary Methodist instructions where to send your payment.

11 First-Class Mail U.S. Postage Paid Syracuse, IN Permit No. 7

P.O. Box 427 • Syracuse, IN 46567-0427

Kim Nguyen) Kim

rating time on the rafts. (The Mail-Journal photo by photo Mail-Journal (The rafts. the on time rating

ing back to home base after an exhausting but exhila- but exhausting an after base home to back ing

and other interested adults. Here, the rafters are head- are rafters the Here, adults. interested other and

the trip successful, along with teachers, administrations teachers, with along successful, trip the

lake patrol officers volunteered their time to help make help to time their volunteered officers patrol lake

Indiana state police officers, conservation officers and officers conservation officers, police state Indiana

this event but hopes to be able to continue it annually. it continue to able be to hopes but event this

McDonalds. This is the first year the WACF has offered has WACF the year first the is This McDonalds.

pursuit game with the winners receiving gift cards to cards gift receiving winners the with game pursuit

sion of the raft trip students competed in a trivial a in competed students trip raft the of sion

tershed and adding ordinary pollutants. At the conclu- the At pollutants. ordinary adding and tershed

everyday actions by building a community within a wa- a within community a building by actions everyday

and much more. Students learned the consequences of consequences the learned Students more. much and

about lake formation, stratification, values of wetlands, of values stratification, formation, lake about

tested water, identified plants and wildlife, learned wildlife, and plants identified water, tested

the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. Students Foundation. Conservancy Area Wawasee the

ples about the Wawasee watershed and wetlands through wetlands and watershed Wawasee the about ples

day out of school Sept. 5 to learn some ecological princi- ecological some learn to 5 Sept. school of out day Wawasee High School freshmen were treated to a to treated were freshmen School High Wawasee