WLAC Winter 2023 Wallooner

The

Wallooner Winter 2023

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP INSIDE!

Get to Know Our New Board President PG. 2

Community Conservation Corner PG. 9

A Celebration of the 17 PG. 12

Volume LIII | Issue 3

2

CONTENTS 02 Letter from the President

By Russ Kittleson

03 2022-2023Annual Report of Activities 04

Classic Cottages of Walloon Part 5

07

Two Centennial Families of North Shore

By Lauren Macintyre

By Lauren Macintyre

Summer Intern 08 2023 Interviews

By Alaina McKeen & Jake Trudeau

08 New Staff Bio 09 Community Conservation Thrives

By Tanner Yurk, Community Conservation Manager

WLAC Dog 09 2023 Memberships Your WLAC 10 Renew Membership

12 A Celebration of the 17

By Lauren Macintyre

on the Ground 13 Boots Fundraiser: A Recap!

By Emma Vondra

14 New WLAC Trustees 15 In Memoriam

Letter from the

PRESIDENT DEAR FRIENDS AND FELLOW WALLOONERS,

As the new President, I would like to greet all members new to the WLAC and those who have been members for many years. The goal of our organization is clearly stated in our mission statement: “To deliver Walloon Lake, a place where people and nature thrive, to the next generations through the power of conservation.” Our entire Board of Directors, our committees, and all volunteers are aware of and strive to maintain this high standard at all times!

Another beautiful, rewarding season full of first-time accomplishments at Walloon Lake was experienced by many. My personal achievements for over ten years have come from being the chairman of the Water Quality Committee, which I took on with no previous experience! One of my favorite activities is when I am contacted to inspect aquatic growth in Walloon Lake after a report is submitted to the WLAC office. It is my goal to visit the site by boat or car within 24 hours to determine if the growth is native or if it is something to worry about - thunder and lightning might cause a delay. Keep that in mind for next summer season. I am also very excited that the WLAC has expanded our water quality testing to seven locations across Walloon Lake rather than the four we have done for over twenty years. I would like to personally thank John and Libby Marklewitz for handling this critical task each week all summer for many years. Because of these dedicated efforts, our lake is still clearly rated oligotrophic, which is the highest rating.

This means there are fewer aquatic plants with clear, blue water. We have been rated oligotrophic for many years and will strive to continue so far into the future.

There are so many accomplishments that took place this year that I could fill the page. A few that I would like to highlight include the educational campaigns, stewardship work on all preserves, the Boots on the Ground fundraiser, the Sara Darling concert, where she donated half the proceeds back to the WLAC (my whole family loved this and even bought

CDs), the Pollinator Protector Program, four boat washing stations (it is a proven fact that 90% of invasive aquatic plants are brought by boat) and the Boater Safety classes. It is also critical to mention the effort to unite all five townships in an Intergovernmental Agreement with the objective of uniform ordinances. This exciting project will help enforcement and consistency when dealing with various topics.

One theme that comes up time and time again is the memories made on this beloved lake. I thought about filling this article with pictures, but deciding which of the 2,500 to include would be impossible. I chose the following because it represents why my family and I love Walloon. Pictured is my mother’s (Adele Kittleson Sjoberg) 95th birthday party taking place by the lake. She lived five more years, and we also had a terrific 100th birthday party. This group is all relatives from several states, 10 of whom are from North Dakota, and two have become WLAC members since this party! Continued memories are possible because my parents bought a cottage on the West Arm in 1967. It was kind of an expensive purchase at $14,000, but it was the best move ever!

Thank You,

Russ Kittleson WLAC PRESIDENT

The Wallooner | Winter 2023

2022-2023

I

ANNUAL REPORT OF ACTIVITIES

By Josephine Roberts, WLAC Executive Director

am pleased to report that the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy’s commitment to water protection led to the establishment of four permanent boat cleaning stations out of the six boat launch sites around Walloon Lake.

We achieved significant milestones in land conservation at the end of 2022, expanding our holdings by 100 acres and launching the Pollinator Protector Program on two preserve properties. We continued ongoing initiatives for responsible boating, and our community engagement ef-

forts thrived with dedicated Lake Ambassadors, strategic planning, and a range of successful events, demonstrating the notable participation and support from the community to unite people, preserve land, and safeguard water in Walloon Lake and its watershed. Most significant this past season is the support for an Intergovernmental Agreement between the five Townships around Walloon Lake.

This effort has the potential to create unified ordinances and coordinated efforts to protect Walloon Lake now and forever.

3

LAND Maus Conservation Easement Land Acquistion: 60 acres adjacent to the Mill Pond Nature Area, Frog Hollow Expansion: 40-acre wetland addition to Frog Hollow Preserve Pollinator Protector Program @ Wildwood Harbor Preserve and Voran Family Preserve Kiosks installed at all Ambassador properties Critical Lands Campaign: An ambitious effort to raise funds for several land protection projects in the Walloon Lake watershed

WATER Permanent Boat Cleaning Stations: 4 of 6 launch sites protected!

Ongoing Move Your Wake, Respect the Lake Campaign Ongoing paid Marine Patrol Hours Organizational boat donated for water quality monitoring Contracted with Jen Buchanan at Red Twig Environmental for shoreline, greenbelt, watershed management and grants 3rd Annual Native Plant Sale 5/5 Walloon Lake Townships concept support to enter into an Intergovernmental Agreement

2023

PEOPLE Lake Ambassadors: 24 neighborhood leaders New 5-year Strategic Plan Seven Wander Walloon community events Walloon Women’s Luncheon Two Boater Certification Courses with the Charlevoix County Sheriffs Department and Melrose Township Successful Boots on the Ground FUNdraiser!

Continued Success with Dog Memberships July Safety Month Past Presidents Gathering, WLA, WLTC and WLAC

Volume LIII | Issue 3

4

CLASSIC COTTAGES

of Walloon PART FIVE

By Lauren Macintyre

EVERY CLASSIC COTTAGE ON WALLOON HAS A STORY TO TELL … STORIES THAT EVOKE DREAMY MEMORIES OF IDYLLIC DAYS GONE BY, STORIES ABOUT WALLOON AND THE FASCINATING PEOPLE WHO MADE IT THEIR OWN. HERE ARE THE STORIES TOLD BY TEN CLASSIC COTTAGES IN PART FIVE OF THIS CONTINUING SERIES.

HASTINGS COTTAGE (Pictured Above)

JOHN & SARAH HASTINGS, OWNERS

Lake Grove Road This splendid log home on a picturesque Lake Grove setting was constructed in 1939 for Phillip and Margaret Worcester of Grosse Pointe.

The Worcesters were originally in the lumber business, so it’s no wonder that the finest Norway pine logs and birch flooring were used in this spacious home. A soaring, two-story living room complete with a massive stone fireplace, metal wagon wheel chandeliers, and a floorto-ceiling window highlights the house. The building of the five-bedroom home is documented in fascinating detail in the couple’s construction notebook and blueprints, still preserved by the family. The house also showcases classic, vintage wooden furniture, filled with generations of family photos and lake memorabilia. The Worcesters’ daughter Mary Kate married John Hastings, and today their son John and wife Sarah, who built an addition and a winter house, maintain the family compound. The family legacy will be carried on by the Hastings’ two sons and their children, the fourth and fifth generations on Walloon.

BELLEVUE TERRACE

TONY & DONNA MCILVENNA, OWNERS

South Shore Drive Built in 1904 for early Wallooner Julius Dick, a prominent businessman of Huntington, IN, this storied cottage with its iconic boathouse is one of the loveliest on the lake. Bellevue Terrace, as it was named, includes a gracious, artistically decorated Dutch colonial cottage, a newly renovated boathouse, various accessory buildings, a guest cottage across South Shore, and 166 feet of spectacular lakefrontage. Built on the Indiana Shore portion of South Shore Drive, it was the beloved summer home of many Wallooners over the years, including the Dick, Africa, Fisher, Freese and Wirtz families. Since 2014 it has been owned

by Tony and Donna McIlvenna of Cincinnati, who have enhanced the beauty of Bellevue through a number of thoughtful renovations. Donna & Tony, who came up to Walloon as a boy with the Hutchens family to Pinecrest on North Shore, sought a “generational home” for themselves and their three children. They have found that and more in this magical cottage, sure to be cherished for generations to come.

The Wallooner | Winter 2023

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PETERSON COTTAGE

POHL COTTAGE “SUNSHINE INN”

South Shore Drive Picture perfect, inside and out, is how the historic Peterson cottage is aptly described. From its picturesque, flower-lined setting high up on the Indiana Shore portion of South Shore Drive to its pristine, blue-shuttered exterior and iconic boathouse, this is an idyllic lake residence. The Petersons have been on Walloon since 1966, when Joe & Dottie Peterson of Dearborn bought the historic, circa 1900 residence of Indianapolis businessman Kiefer Mayer from the Marcums.

The original property had a residence for the help, but no kitchen — because, in that era, families went to the nearby Thomas House for meals. The Petersons’ daughter, Kerrie and husband Bill, built a majestic winterized addition that complements the original cottage perfectly, a stunning example of how to preserve a historic cottage while creating beautiful year-round space for today’s life.

South Shore Drive One of the most picturesque properties on the lake, “Sunshine Inn,” encompasses a meticulously preserved large log home, a smaller log guest home across the road, and another tiny log cottage. The longtime home of beloved Wallooners Bud and Viv Pohl, the house was completed in 1928 by Bud’s parents William Pohl and Cora Hudepohl of the Hudepohl Brewery of Cincinnati. The Pohls filled the big cottage with rustic wood furniture and well-preserved Walloon and family memorabilia. The cottage also houses an impressive collection of model wooden boats hand-crafted by Bud, who sadly passed away this year at age 101. Today, the seven-bedroom pine log house is lovingly maintained by Bud and Viv’s four children, Robert Pohl, Carolyn Mackey, James Pohl, Judy Frey, and their families. A winterized addition to the guest house provides year-round access.

KERRIE PETERSON & BILL BLEWETT

“FORT SMITH”

JINNY SMITH, OWNER,

North Shore Drive Jinny and her late husband, Rusty Smith of Dallas, bought this picturesque little cottage in 1995 and then enhanced it with a thoughtful addition. The warm, inviting interior of the four-bedroom cottage features bead board, beautiful original woodwork, and door frames, which the Smiths replicated seamlessly in the addition. They also added an authentic Michigan fieldstone chimney on the right. Originally called “The Birches” and built around 1900-05, for many years, the cottage was owned by the kindly Dr. Bond and their daughter Florence from Indiana. The Taylor family, who lived next door, bought it in the 1950s as a guest house and winterized it before later selling it to the Watermans.

POHL FAMILY, OWNERS,

“STARKELS’ UDDER PLACE”

GINNY & JOHN STARKEL, OWNERS

M-75 North One of the oldest cottages on the lake, the 1882 cottage of Ginny & John Starkel was part of the original Fort Wayne Camp. The Starkels bought the cottage in 1985 from the Olds-Carpenter family, who founded the camp. Originally built as a lean-to on tree trunks with a separate kitchen house, the three-bedroom cottage and its guest house have undergone extensive renovations. Today, the cottage boasts a warm, inviting interior with such original features as red pine floors, a clawfoot bathtub, a built-in linen closet, and book-lined door frames. A small metal parrot, also original to the house, is perched high on a drapery rod for good luck! (continued on next page)

Volume LIII | Issue 3

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BISHOP COTTAGE

BARNIE BISHOP, OWNER

North Shore Drive Once known as “Kentucky Home” and later as “Bellaire,” this picturesque cottage has been lovingly restored by longtime Wallooner Barnie Bishop. Originally the home of the Scheas family of Louisville, in a 1910 Petoskey Evening News article, it was described as the “finest of the many fine cottages” on Walloon. For many years the cottage was owned by the Whitney McGuire family; his grandson John Clements now lives next door in the equally historic Hearsey cottage.

A number of artifacts, including Whitney McGuire’s 1933 purchase agreement are preserved in the cottage. Barney has beautifully maintained the pristine white bead board throughout the open, airy main floor and quaint upstairs. A small addition in the back blends seamlessly with the rest of this enchanting cottage.

“MERRY-GO-ROUND”

LIZ MINOR & PEGGY MCDONALD, OWNERS

North Shore Drive This tall blue cottage high above the lake is one of three cottages in a row that eventually became the homes of three of the children of early Wallooners George & Nelle Tayloe. Home to the Tayloes’ daughter Margie Tayloe Forkin, it is now owned by Margie’s daughters Liz and Peggy. Originally the home of the Cobb family, this spacious five-bedroom cottage retains the original pine paneling, brick fireplace, and rustic wood furniture. The lower level of the picturesque house is reached by a separate entrance. Surrounded by flowers and twisting stone paths, the beloved cottage is cherished by Liz, Peggy, their children, and grandchildren.

ARTZ COTTAGE

MARTHA ARTZ TREIBER, ELIZABETH & DAN BOGO, OWNERS

Sweet Pea Lane Stepping into the Artz cottage is like walking through a bright, sunlit garden on a summer day. Pastel colors, a floral motif, and a plethora of artwork by Michigan artists are featured throughout the charming 1923 five-bedroom cottage. The enclosed front porch features antique wicker furniture and offers panoramic views of the lake. Longtime Wallooner Martha Artz Treiber’s parents, Fred & Laverne Artz, who were in the tannery business, came to the area in 1931, buying the cottage in 1947. Laverne named the tiny road behind the house “Sweet Pea Lane,” an appropriate location for this flower-filled cottage. This delightful home epitomizes cottage style, effortlessly bringing the outside in.

“WEE HOOSE”

TOM & KATHY PUSTELL, OWNERS

Forest Lane This quaint cottage, one of many historic houses on Forest Lane, was originally owned by Kennard Gerrie, a well-known druggist and jeweler from Boyne City. Of Scottish lineage, Mr. Gerrie called the little cottage overlooking Wildwood Harbor his “Wee Hoose” and the name has been preserved by subsequent owners. The house may have been a Sears Kit cottage, and although its exact age is unknown, pictures of it date to 1941. When Tom & Kathy Pustell bought it in 1991, they put on an addition and later raised the foundation to create a very comfortable lower level. Today, the four-bedroom “Wee Hoose” is no longer so little, but it has certainly lost none of its charm.

The Wallooner | Winter 2023

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TWO

Centennial FAMILIES of North Shore

By Lauren Macintyre

ABOVE: George and Nelle Tayloe and their children Howard, Virgina, Elizabeth, and Margie arriving at Walloon around 1916.

LEFT: The North Shore path goes right under the porch of Highland, the Jose family’s historic cottage.

HEARSEY FAMILY

In the 1890s, Englishman Henry (Harry) Hearsey of Indianapolis was quite a versatile entrepreneur, manufacturing tires, bicycles, carriages, portable heaters, sleighs, and automobiles. After all that success, Harry needed a summer getaway for his family, so naturally, his sights turned to Walloon Lake, already a favorite spot for many an Indiana family.

Around 1897, Harry came with wife Nellie and their four daughters to Walloon, buying property on North Shore Drive. Harry and Nellie became prominent resorters, building a pretty blue cottage in 1716 North Shore, now owned by the Clements family. Eventually, the family presided over three cottages in a row, owned by daughters Helen (Nellie) Colburn, Kathryn Adam, and Edith Jose. Descendants of all three daughters are still here at Walloon.

When Edith married Herbert Jose, it actually united two longtime Walloon families, the Joses having come to the lake around 1905.

“Highland,” the original Jose cottage, is still owned by Harry and Nellie’s great-grandsons Nick, Steve, Dave, and Otto Jose, who maintain the family’s Walloon legacy. Their vintage cottage is replete with family heirlooms, such as the original caricature of Henry Hearsey (above), and a treasure trove of Walloon mem-

orabilia. Steve and Otto Jose now live in Colorado, while brothers Nick and Dave live in Indiana, but they still come to the beloved cottage every summer. The brothers and their spouses combined nine children and seven grandchildren represent the fifth and sixth generations of the family here on Walloon.

Also, near Walloon is cousin Marilyn Abbett Rader, granddaughter of Nellie Colburn and another great-grandchild of the Hearseys.

Marilyn and her husband, Jock, have lived here year-round for 53 years. Their three children, Henry Hearsey’s great-great-grandchildren, are all nearby. The Raders’ seven grandchildren also represent the sixth generation of the Hearsey family, an amazing family legacy on Walloon.

TAYLOE FAMILY

Did you know that the first woman governor in the country was a member of a Walloon family? Nellie Tayloe Ross, governor of Wyoming in 1924 and later Director of the U.S. Mint under Franklin Roosevelt was just one distinguished member of the Tayloe family of North Shore Drive.

Although the exact date the Tayloe family first came to Walloon is not known, certainly they were here before 1916. The Tayloe Paper Company was founded by George Green Tayloe in Memphis in 1903, so it may well have been those paper and corresponding lumber

interests that led the Tayloes to Northern Michigan and Walloon in the early 20th century.

It was George and his wife, Nelle Kreider, who established the family’s Walloon legacy with a beautiful cottage on North Shore. They were very close to George’s sister, Governor Nellie Tayloe Ross, who wrote fascinating letters to them describing her years in national politics. An August 30, 1935 article in the Petoskey Evening News proudly notes that the Director of the U.S. Mint and former Governor Ross would arrive the following week to visit her brother George at Walloon.

At one time, the Tayloe family had three cottages in a row on North Shore, one each for daughters Virginia, Elizabeth, and Margie. Two of those three cottages remain in the family today. Sisters Liz Forkin Minor and Peggy Forkin McDonald. The daughters of Margie Tayloe Cox and granddaughters of George and Nelle lovingly share ownership of one of them, a tall blue house high over the lake.

The other family cottage next door is owned by their cousin Nancy Nickey Curran, also a granddaughter of George and Nelle, whose mother Elizabeth married into the Nickey family, another pioneering Walloon family.

“We absolutely lived for our summers on Walloon,” notes Liz, who has never missed a year on the lake. She and her sister Peggy have incredibly fond memories of walking the North Shore path, scavenger hunts by boat, moonlight sails, and watching the 17 sailboats being built.

Their love of Walloon and commitment to the family legacy will undoubtedly be carried on faithfully by their children and grandchildren.

Volume LIII | Issue 3

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2023 Summer Intern Interviews

By Alaina McKeen & Jake Trudeau

LASTLY, WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM YOUR TIME HERE? JAKE: I had always been told by people that the culture at a nonprofit is like a family and this internship experience definitely felt like that.

ALAINA: Working at a small office you really get to collaborate with everyone and get to know each other very well.

ANY OTHER PARTING WORDS: JAKE: Go Green! ALAINA: Go Blue!

N E W WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE WLAC? ALAINA: I was looking at internships specifically in Northern Michigan because my family has a cottage here and I thought it would be nice to spend the summer up here, so I landed at the WLAC. JAKE: I needed to do an internship, and this was close to home! I grew up around the lakes, grew up around the area, so this internship just made sense for me!

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PROJECT? JAKE: Well, I really enjoyed the water quality testing, specifically getting to spend 2.5 hours on a boat. Also, I like geo-chemistry, so it was cool to see how stuff changed across the lake and at various depths.

ALAINA: I also liked doing water quality testing every week. I also enjoyed preserve monitoring, specifically at the preserves in the WLAC Field Guide.

CAN YOU TELL US A BIT MORE ABOUT YOUR “CAPSTONE” PROJECT? JAKE: Our capstone project was tracking trail usage with sensors that can thread lasers.

We thought this was a good idea because the WLAC has no trail-usage data. Other conser-

vancies around the state and the country use these practices so we thought it was an educated approach.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE EVENT OR EXPERIENCE? JAKE: The Board dinner was a lot of fun.

The team gathered beforehand at Josephine’s house and then had dinner at Mary Pat’s house. That was a lot of fun and we got to meet everyone and enjoy some fish stew.

S TA F F

B I O

TANNER YURK

Community Conservation Manager

ALAINA: Intern Adventure Day was easily the most fun. The whole team got together and went tubing on the Jordan River and it was a fun team bonding experience. It was a true adventure trying to avoid trees down in the river the whole time.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PRESERVE? JAKE: I really like Fields Preserve, that was definitely my favorite. It has a nice mixture of stuff – it has fields, woods and a creek.

ALAINA: Wildwood Harbor Preserve because it has a variety of different trails and paths. We were able to explore the marsh and Lake Evangeline, which is scenic and beautiful.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE GENERAL STORE SNACK? JAKE: Quest Bars ALAINA: Hippie Chips

Tanner is a native of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and a graduate of Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fisheries and Wildlife. After graduating, Tanner gained experience with invasive species and habitat restoration in the private, governmental, and NGO sectors.

Tanner and his wife, Hannah, enjoy taking their dog, Theo, to the beach and to parks for walks and relaxing.

The Wallooner | Summer Winter 2023 2023

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COMMUNITY CONSERVATION THRIVES Around Walloon Lake

By Tanner Yurk, Community Conservation Manager

N

estled amidst the picturesque landscapes of northern Michigan lies the pristine waters of Walloon Lake, a natural treasure cherished by locals and visitors alike. This jewel of nature is a haven for recreational activities and a testament to the community's unwavering commitment to conservation. The Walloon Lake community embodies the mission of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy: To deliver Walloon Lake, a place where people and nature thrive, to the next generations through the power of conservation. Over the years, remarkable accomplishments and events have highlighted the dedication to preserving the beauty and integrity of this shared lake and its surrounding environment.

One of the standout initiatives that exemplifies this commitment is the establishment of pollinator gardens on two preserves around Walloon Lake. These gardens, planted with native wildflowers and grasses, designed to attract

pollinators such as bees and butterflies, will serve as both a vibrant display of nature's beauty and a critical contribution to the local ecosystem. Through collaborative efforts between community members, local pollinator experts, and non-profit organizations, these gardens are flourishing and have become essential sanctuaries for declining pollinator populations.

Furthermore, the pursuit of water quality excellence has been a pivotal concern for those dedicated to safeguarding Walloon Lake. Regular water quality testing has become a hallmark of WLAC efforts. Monitoring ensures that the lake remains pristine, supporting aquatic life and providing safe recreational opportunities for all.

The commitment to water quality extends beyond data collection, as residents and volunteers actively engage in measures to create or expand shoreland greenbelts, reduce pollution, and educate the community on septic tank maintenance, preserving the lake's clarity and purity.

Schoof's Creek, one of two vital tributaries that flow into Walloon Lake, is a prime example of community-driven stream monitoring. Envi-

ronmental enthusiasts and local organizations (Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council) have banded together to monitor and protect the Creek's health. These diligent efforts have led to valuable insights into the Creek's ecological condition and informed conservation actions that help maintain its crucial role in the lake's ecosystem.

In addition to these initiatives, the annual native plant sale has become a celebrated event within the community. Local nurseries, Lake Associations, and conservationists collaborate to offer a diverse selection of native plants.

These plants enhance the aesthetic appeal of residents' gardens and shorelines, contributing significantly to Walloon Lake's overall health.

By planting native species, community members help sustain local wildlife populations, support biodiversity, and reduce the need for water and chemical inputs.

The success of these endeavors underscores the power of collective action in preserving the natural wonders of Walloon Lake. Community conservation efforts have improved the lake's health and fostered a deep sense of both connection and stewardship among residents.

As these accomplishments continue to mount, Walloon Lake stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a community unites in its commitment to preserving the environment for future generations. Through pollinator gardens, water quality testing, stream monitoring, and public education events, this community has proven that protecting our environment is not just a responsibility; it is a shared aspiration and a source of pride.

2023 WLAC DOG MEMBERSHIPS Baker Queller Bella Kittleson Betsy Lee Macintyre Ca$h Money Sugnet

Colby Jack Reardon Boutell Darwin Hollar Elwyn Hollar Jags Malenfant

Jaxie Hatch

Piper Hopping

Koda Rowlands

Rosie Dunn

Maizy Malenfant

Snickers Dunn

Marty Glass

Sugar Miesel

Oakley Hatch

Zoe Royer

Thank you to our 2023 Dog Members for helping us to pawtect Walloon Lake and its watershed!

Volume LIII | Issue 3

10

Renew Your Membership

Renew your membership with the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy and be a part of the movement that ensures a thriving community for both people and nature.

As the year is coming to an end, it’s time to renew your WLAC Membership. The dues ($95) remain unchanged and provide the following benefits: •

THE 2024 WLAC DIRECTORY: our annual directory includes a list of members, important organizational info, community resources, and more.

•

ISSUES OF THE WALLOONER: this time-honored publication is a labor of love from committee, community, and WLAC staff and is distributed three times per year to members.

•

COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: being a member is a great way to get to know fellow Wallooners, neighbors, and supporters through events and communications.

Dues not only directly support our operational and programming costs, but our members are truly the heart of the WLAC. Dues for the WLAC are separate from donations. Join us hand-in-hand in helping protect the land and water of Walloon, now and forever.

To renew, return the enclosed envelope or visit walloon.org/ membership. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!

WALLOON FOREVER! Give the Gift of Walloon:

Looking for the perfect gift for that friend or family member that loves Walloon during the holidays? Give the gift of WLAC merchandise this season! During this time, the more you buy, the more you save.

Purchase 1 item, save 10%, purchase 2 items, save 20%, the purchase of 3 items or more saves 30%. This offer runs through January 31, 2024. Snag your WLAC merch and give the gift that gives back!

Stop in or call the WLAC Office at (231) 535-6112 to arrange your holiday gift.

#GivingTuesday TUESDAY NOVEMBER 28th Support the WLAC this #GivingTuesday with some Walloon Forever gear! Head to bonfire. com/wlac2023givingtuesday and get yours today.

The Wallooner | Winter 2023

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JP. Gerster REAL ESTATE

Ostlund

Worry Less, Boat More!

Pest Control North Owned and Operated by Terry & Maria Burfiend

Specializing in general insect & rodent control.

(Carpenter Ants, Spiders & Stringing Insects)

Carpenter Ants & Spiders

231.238.0899 OstlundNorth@gmail.com

At Walloon Central Marine we have everything you need to relax on and around the water. Stop in to see our newest Bennington pontoons for sale or choose from one of our seven Bennington rental boats to experience our beautiful Walloon Lake.

We have you covered with our many marine services: • New/Used Sales

• Restoration

• Storage

• Boat Lifts

• Factory Trained Service

• Boat Detailing

• Rentals

• Boat Transport

• Docks

• Shrink Wrapping

• Headhouses

• Ship Store

Authorized dealers of:

wallooncentral.com (231) 535-2166 4730 US Highway 131 North, Walloon Lake, MI 49796

Volume LIII | Issue 3

12

A CELEBRATION OF THE

Beautifully constructed in 1934, 17 #1 still sails the lake.

(Photo courtesy of Patrick Ryan).

2024 Marks the 90th Anniversary of Walloon’s Iconic Sailboat

A

By Lauren Macintyre

lthough sailboat racing on Walloon took place as early as 1909, it was the Walloon Yacht Club that popularized the sport. In 1928, WYC member Bill Loughlin designed the very popular Walloon Lake One Design sailboat. Loughlin, a student of naval architecture at the University of Michigan, created the Walloon Lake One Design, or “W,” with a 20-foot-long finkeel sloop with a 186 square feet sail.

But Bill Loughlin wasn’t done yet ... just six years later, he embarked on a new phase, designing a totally new boat of 24’ 6” length and rigged with 17 square meters of sails.

Loughlin and young Henry Jordan Cawthra, who became a world-class sailor, built the first 17 Square Meter in the bitterly cold winter and spring of 1934. After each piece of the new design was cut and fitted, a pattern was made to facilitate the building of additional boats.

A 17 ready for launching at the old Quonset hut (Photos courtesy of Ted McCutcheon, Jr.).

Henry Cawthra wrote that oak for framing and red cedar for planking were purchased at local lumber yards, while white cedar for deck planking was harvested from local trees. Sitka spruce was used for spars. The fittings, mostly aluminum, and the iron keels were cast at East Jordan Ironworks. The curved wooden mast of the 17 rose nearly 30 feet above the water.

Beautifully constructed, the first 17, Number 1 still sails on the lake.

Loughlin eventually sold the business to a talented young man named Ted McCutcheon, who built many 17s at his Walloon boat works.

In 1970, Wallooner Sally Randall Swanson, intent on buying a 17, noticed the deterioration of the wood on many of them and petitioned the WYC for permission to build a fiberglass version... a radical notion, indeed. But McCutcheon, who knew how labor-intensive and expensive it was to build a wooden 17, agreed.

Sally joined with Betty and Stuart Gould to form Seventeens, Inc. Ted McCutcheon was commissioned to build the first fiberglass 17.

Later, Harvey Schach bought the Goulds’ share of the company and commissioned additional 17s from an Ohio company.

Harvey Schach went on to build fiberglass models in various series through Number 42.

What makes the 17 so special? “It’s well suited for the light winds we have on Walloon but wouldn’t work well on the big lakes,” notes Walloon 17 Foundation President Bill Bray. Although the hull design is 90 years old, today’s sails are very modern, state of the art, and a combination of different technologies.

Some unique attributes of the 17 include a low beamto-length ratio and a large

sail area to displacement, making it a very tender boat suited to light winds.

Now, ninety years after some gifted young men with a dream created the perfect sloop for Walloon, the breathtaking view of graceful 17s racing down the lake, spinnakers flying, is still one of the most magical sights on the lake. Today, approximately thirty-three 17s remain in existence. One of them, Number 10, is no longer a functioning sailboat but instead serves as the iconic marker to the entrance to the Village of Walloon. It has recently been refurbished.

To promote the history of the boat, in 2017, the Walloon 17 Foundation published an excellent coffee table book entitled Seventeens of Walloon Lake. The book may be purchased at the WLAC office or on the WYC website www.walloonyachtclub.org/coffeetablebook.

The Walloon 17 Foundation has planned a variety of events in 2024 to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the 17, including the following:

Friday, May 31

17 Launch Day (We will provide

assistance to any 17-owner launching a boat at the Village ramp and even weigh the boat for free!)

MONDAY, JUNE 17

The 17 fleet will sail round the West Arm in the afternoon.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 Sail from Foot to Michigania around Wildwood and S Arm.

Get ready to celebrate! Special apparel to commemorate this anniversary will be available at www.walloonyachtclub.org/ foundationcampaign.

The Wallooner | Winter 2023

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BOOTS ON THE GROUND FUNDRAISER A RECAP!

he Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy hosted the inaugural Boots on the Ground FUNdraiser in July, and the results are in... It's a community favorite!

The event was held at the Talcott in the heart of Walloon Lake Village, with over 160 people in attendance. The love for Walloon Lake truly fueled the evening.

The evening's fun could be witnessed by watching the people on the dance floor, photos taken in the photo booth, and the competitiveness of the silent auction.

The event was a wild fundraising success, bringing in $100,000 to fund mission-critical work such as installing pollinator gardens, purchasing boat cleaning stations, and more.

A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS FOR THE EVENING:

Presley Architecture Walloon Central Marine Ralph & Patti Miesel Susan & Jim Monton 1Senior Home Care Bear Cove Marina Peterson McGregor West Bend Wolverine Cabinet Co. Vacation Properties of Northern Michigan Lauren & Jim Macintyre Molly & Stephen Kircher

The need to protect Walloon Lake and its watershed is felt by so many, demonstrated by the hours dedicated to the Boots on the Ground FUNdraiser.

The evening was only possible because of amazing volunteers, staff, community partners, and eventgoers.

Thank you!

13

Volume LIII | Issue 3

14

NEW WLAC TRUSTEES

John Fettig and Family

JOHN FETTIG

John Grew up in Michigan on his family’s dairy farm and graduated from Petoskey High School. After he graduated from Petoskey High School, he enrolled in college accounting classes. After graduating from Ferris State University in Big Rapids with an accounting degree, he worked in Port Huron for a few years but always felt drawn to return north.

In 2002, John returned home to Petoskey, where he met his wonderful wife, Lisa.

Three kids later, John and Lisa moved to Resort Township, close to several WLAC conservancies. It did not take long for John and Lisa to begin spending time hiking the WLAC properties. John and his family have spent much time on the WLAC as their children have grown.

John enjoys being outdoors, hunting, football, and spending time with his family.

As their lives have continued to get busier and the kids are getting older, being out on Walloon Lake is a favorite activity the entire family enjoy

MARY ANN SMITH

Mary Ann, Mike, and their children, Sean and Cinnia, first traveled to Walloon Lake from Southern California in 2010 to visit dear friends. With each subsequent visit, they experienced feelings of gratitude for the opportunity to explore a slice of Pure Michigan. They fell in love with its natural beauty, pristine waters, welcoming culture, and joyful lake activities. After being guests for 11 years, the Smiths decided to call Walloon Lake home when a lovely cottage became available near their friend’s house. In February 2021, they relocated to Walloon full-time and embraced the Lake and its changing seasons. Mary Ann immediately became involved in the WLAC Membership and Outreach Committee and served as a Lake Ambassador. Before moving to Petoskey, Mary Ann was involved in the communities of Pasadena and Los Angeles, serving in various voluntary leadership roles and parent boards organizing fundraising events for schools and non-profit organizations.

Mary Ann Smith and Family

Before retiring to raise their two children, Mary Ann worked in Los Angeles for many years for MCI Telecommunications in corporate sales. She also worked in Washington, D.C., as a political appointee in the Reagan White House.

Mary Ann graduated from the University of Southern California and is thrilled her alma mater will be joining the Big Ten in 2024.

WLAC Board Seeking

COMMITTEE MEMBERS & TRUSTEES If you are interested in making a difference, contact Josephine Roberts, Executive Director: 231.535.6112 or josephine@walloon.org

The Wallooner | Winter 2023

15

In Memoriam

If you have a loved one who has recently passed and would like to submit a memorial story in the next issue of the Wallooner, please let us know.

CAROL POHL May 25, 1944 – September 21, 2023 (age 79) Carol Pohl, 79, passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side on September 21, 2023. She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on May 25, 1944 to Carolyn and John Crabill and is survived by her sister Ann (Leydig), whom she loved dearly. Carol was a beloved mother, Nana, and wife. Like her husband Rich (pictured), friends and family always came first. She loved visiting her seven granddaughters, traveling across the globe with friends, and spending time on Walloon Lake, Michigan with close friends and family.

If you knew Carol, you knew she loved all things athletic. Carol was an avid golfer.

Though she could break 80 in her prime, she loved to golf with anyone, no matter their skill. Even in her late stage of dementia, Carol could hit a 200-yard drive straight down the fairway. Carol graduated from Denison University with a degree in physical education and math and taught at the high school level until she and Rich were stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii during Vietnam. Carol

stayed home to raise her three kids-Sharon, Sarah, and John. After the kids were a bit older, Carol volunteered as a soccer and swim coach for Oakwood High School. She loved refereeing games and the spirit of junior varsity where everyone got playing time. Carol ran two half marathons, waterskied, fished with Rich, walked the dogs every day, and instilled a love of athletics in her kids. When Carol wasn’t doing something physically active, she could often be found reading books, especially on the boat or dock. In addition to participating in sports, one of Carol’s favorite pastimes included watching and going to Ohio State football games – go Bucks!

Carol had a deep love for music. She played piano and accordion, and even taught herself how to play flute and cello. Carol loved nothing more than playing the piano, surrounded by a group of friends while they belted out Christmas carols. When they lived in Centerville, Ohio, Carol would lug around her accordion while friends and family caroled from door-to-door. They cherished their lifelong friends from both Centerville and Oakwood. One of the last things Carol said was that she would love to go to the orchestra.

Aside from athletic pursuits, Carol spent much of her time volunteering in the Dayton community. She donated countless hours to the Philharmonic, the Junior League, the Garden Club, and was the Co-Chairman for Town Hall. One of the highlights of Carol’s volunteering was bringing journalist Leslie Stahl as a Town Hall speaker! She and Rich also volunteered at Christ Church where Carol taught Sunday school and Rich ushered.

Carol is survived by her daughters Sharon Walsh and Sarah Pohl, her sons-in-law Ben Walsh and Ethan Smith, and her granddaughters Lucy, Sally, Margot, Anna, and Rosie Walsh, and Harley and Wylie Pohl Smith.

Carol loved going to Christ Methodist Church in Dayton, Ohio and very much looked forward to seeing her husband Rich and her son John in Heaven.

A memorial will be planned in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Carol’s honor to the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance (daytonperformingarts.org/support) or the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (walloon.org).

DR. JAMES JOSEPH BENO March 7, 1946 – September 1, 2023 (age 77) Dr. James Beno, 77 of Petoskey, MI died Friday September 1st at McLaren Hospital in Petoskey after a cardiac arrest earlier in the week. Father Dennis Stilwell will officiate the funeral at St. Francis Xavier Church in Petoskey on Thursday September 7th at 11am.

Jim was born March 17th, 1946 in St. Johns, MI, the son of John and Anna (Bohil) Beno. He grew up in Port Huron, MI and served in the US Navy in the Vietnam War on the USS Chicago as a medical corpsman.

On August 22nd, 1969, he married Linda (Schlueter) Beno. He graduated from the Na-

tional College of Chiropractic in Lombard, IL in 1973.

Dr. Beno started practicing Chiropractic in Petoskey in 1973, and opened the Beno Clinic Chiropractic Center in 1981, where he considered his patients friends and family.

He chose to live life with an energetic, positive attitude. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, boating, skiing, spending time with family, and visiting the Cayman Islands. He believed Walloon Lake was a special place and was passionate about protecting it. He was a member of St. Francis Xavier Church where

he was a eucharistic minister and served as the newcomer welcoming committee and was a past president of Petoskey Rotary. He served God, his country, his church, his family, and his patients.

He is survived by his wife Linda, daughter Melissa, son Jeff (Cyndi), grandchildren Ryker, Michael, Julia, Brendan, and Brett, brothers John and Gerald (Barbara), and sister Mary (Barry) Wagner.

In lieu of flowers, family suggests memorials to Walloon Lake Association & Conservancy.

Volume LIII | Issue 3

16 DANA ANNE (LILLIE) LAPEKAS May 7, 1945 – June 15, 2023 (age 78)

Dana Anne Lillie Lapekas was born in New York, New York, on May 7, 1945, to Pearl Gitzene Rice and Walter Irving Lillie. She peacefully passed away on June 15, 2023, in Petoskey, Michigan, with loved ones by her side. Despite facing numerous health challenges for many years, she maintained her sense of humor, quick wit, and her love of being with and talking to the people she loved. Dana spent her time seasonally between Longboat Key, Florida, and Walloon Lake, Michigan.

She was the beloved wife of Edward Lapekas for fifty years until his death in December 2017. Her daughter Anne lives in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband Jeff.

Anne has three boys, William and his wife Mai-Khahn (Leesburg, Virginia), Peter (Atlanta, Georgia), and Nick (Charlottesville, Virginia). She has two stepchildren, Connor

2023 DIRECTORY CORRECTIONS

MEMBERS:

and his wife Alaina (Richmond, Virginia) and Julianna (Montivideo, Uruguay). Her son Mark lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, with his wife, Carol, and two boys, Edward and Gabriel. She was much loved and respected by her sisters Patty and Vickie and her in-laws Ron, Nancy and Jim and their families and was “dear Dana” to her many friends.

Dana earned a B.A. in Early Childhood Education from Michigan State University and was a pre-school teacher for many years. Beyond the classroom she was always teaching. She taught swimming to Special Olympians, taught her children to use their imaginations and make the simplest activities more fun (like rolling back the sunroof when passing under the Chicago Post Office to reach for pretend mail that “dropped” then “read” their letters), and that singing in harmony while canoeing makes one’s heart happy. She taught a lot of life lessons that will be passed on through the generations. For example, do things with grace and dignity; life can be hard, so make your own fun; and having nice manners is a must. People sought her advice (and often got it even if they hadn’t asked for it).

As she made her journey through life, all who know her knew certain truths about her.

She and her dear, much-less-outgoing Ed loved festive, fun gatherings and were often the first people on the dance floor and the last people off. She loved simple joys like fresh flowers, pearl earrings, and being in or on water. She had a twinkle in her eye, cultivated when she was a tiny bit naughty as a child. She delighted in playfully pushing boundaries ever so slightly, just for the fun of the challenge.

Hubers, Dr. & Mrs. Michael (Beverly) 7977 S. Indian Garden Road Petoskey, MI 49770 231/622-8182 1554 Heatherwood Troy, MI 48098 248/310-7765 (Mike’s Cell) 248/310-4265 (Bev’s Cell) mjhtha@aol.com bahubers@aol.com

R2628, R2626

Dana also had a strong moral compass and strong opinions and would not hesitate to speak up in the face of what she perceived to be a wrong. She was generous in many ways—with her time, resources, energy, and support. There was really no task so big that she wouldn’t or couldn’t handle it. She could be a bit directive--but it was (mostly) only for our own good. She found great pleasure showing simple acts of kindness, like making sure Ed had a clean towel every day and the grandkids had a new book by their bedsides whenever they visited. Her grandchildren were precious to her, and their “Mimi” championed each one’s unique individuality.

She was there for them in their trials and triumphs, never wavering in her unconditional love for them. They loved her dearly and have lost a guiding light in their lives.

She and Ed moved twenty-five times during their marriage, including to London and the Netherlands, and made many lifelong friends from all over the world. She made an impact on everyone she met, touching everyone in her own unique way. Her wisdom was of the homespun variety, based on common sense and decency—straightforward, frank, and easy to understand, no matter your age or circumstances. She made everyone feel valued because she saw the value in everyone. She loved people, and people loved her.

In short, she was a force. She was Dana.

She will be missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be to Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy or Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan, Inc.

Sarran, William & Janet 06210 Red Pine Road Boyne City, MI 49712 231/582-8990 3901 West Street, #111 Cincinnati, OH 45227 greatescape@cinci.rr.com

B1452, 1370

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Volume LIII | Issue 3

18

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The Wallooner is published three times per year in March/April, June/July and November/December, by the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy, 4060 M-75 N Suite 102, P.O. Box 579, Walloon Lake, MI 49796

WALLOON LAKE ASSOCIATION AND CONSERVANCY TRUSTEES Russ Kittleson President

Marianne Barry Vice President

Phone (231) 535-6112 | Fax (231) 535-6114 E-mail wlac@walloon.org | Web www.walloon.org

Marty Makinen

©Copyright 2023 Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy

Holly Angileri

Treasurer Secretary

Greg Adams Jan Antalis John Fettig Bob Flynn Mary Ellen Geist Laurel McAteer

George Peck Tom Saeli Mary Ann Smith

Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Paid Petoskey, MI Permit No. 110 Post Office Box 579 Walloon Lake, MI 49796 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED