Welcome Our New Executive Director, Jon Breithaupt
Lasting impressions come easy to those who live, work and play on Walloon Lake. For decades, this watershed has inspired local residents, charmed visitors and motivated us at the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) to preserve this precious resource. I am sure you count yourself among those drawn to protect the serene beauty of this lake, and as we shared briefly in last month’s email update, I am excited to welcome another supporter of this shared mission: our new Executive Director, Jon Breithaupt.
Jon has been a lifelong steward of important natural landscapes. Born and raised in Traverse City, his deep connection to nature took root early, inspired by the forests, lakes and changing seasons of his home region. This passion evolved into a dedicated career in conservation and public land management that has spanned diverse ecosystems across the country.
Jon has previously served in managerial roles with both the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service, work which took him from the towering forests and volcanic peaks of the Oregon Cascades to the shifting sands and hardwood forests of Michigan, the alpine wilderness of the Colorado Rockies, the arid expanse of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert, and the rolling hills and karst landscapes of the Missouri Ozarks. In each setting, Jon brought a thoughtful, hands-on approach to natural resource management, with a focus on fundraising, partnership cultivation, volunteer collaboration, outdoor recreation access improvements, environmental education, and ecological preservation.
Closer to his roots, Jon played a vital role in the protection and stewardship of the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy in Central Michigan. As Executive Director, he worked to conserve wildlife habitat, enhance
public access to nature and engage the community in the mission of land preservation. He and his wife Kennedy, a fellow Michigander, have two cats and two energetic dogs. In his free time, you’ll find Jon hiking, mountain biking, gardening, fishing, paddling or skiing. Jon holds an associate degree in business administration from Northwestern Michigan College, a bachelor’s degree in outdoor and environmental recreation administration from Central Michigan University, and a master’s degree in natural resources stewardship from Colorado State University.
Jon joined WLAC on June 2 after we completed a national search for an Executive Director guided by a nonprofit consultancy. Given his robust skillsets and connections to northern Michigan, I am confident he will lead us and the lake we treasure into a thriving future. Please join me in welcoming him to the WLAC family.
Sincerely,
Marty MakinenPRESIDENT
Cover Photo by Pete Rentschler
LOVE WALLOON
LAVENDER HILL IS BLOOMING, AND SO IS WLAC
The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy has so much to celebrate this year! Our new Executive Director Jon Breithaupt, who came on board in June. More than $800,000 raised for WLAC’s Critical Lands Campaign, which will be used to protect valuable and threatened properties in the Walloon Lake watershed. The formation of the Walloon Lake Watershed Collaborative, a several years’ long effort to establish a memorandum of understanding between the five townships that share the shores of Walloon Lake. The restoration of wetlands along Old State Road. The eradication of more than 10 acres of aquatic invasive Eurasian watermilfoil in Walloon’s watershed. The connection of the Maplecrest and Church Family Preserve Trails. The creation of a pollinator garden at Wildwood Harbor Nature Area. And—with the help of many of our members and other volunteers— the clearing of most of our trails, which had been damaged and filled with debris after the historic spring ice storms.
Obviously, we have plenty of reasons to have a big party! And we believe the perfect place to kick up our heels is Lavender Hill Farm.
By the time you receive this Wallooner, the landscape around Lavender Hill will be turning a deep purple and the scent of its signature aromatic flowers will be filling the air. Lavender Hill is a Certified Naturally Grown Farm located off Horton Bay Road near Boyne City. It’s the largest lavender farm in
Michigan, with 30 varieties of lavender, Italian honeybees, a store brimming with products made with Lavender Hill’s blossoms, and a restored 100-year-old barn, where live performances and events are held throughout the summer.
The rustic elegance of the farm’s structures and the beauty of the 33 acres of purple and green rolling hills offer a venue where people can gather to celebrate as well as “destress” and slow down.
Owner Bill Mansfield says Lavender Hill is a special place that shares WLAC’s values of conserving and preserving the environment and appreciating the beauty that surrounds us. “Collaborative spirit is really part of the farm’s DNA,” says Mansfield. “Whether it’s in the form of products like gin from Gypsy Distillery with our lavender added, or lavender ice cream from Moomers—we are collaborators. It’s part of how we operate. The extension of this collaborative spirit with the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy feels really good, really right.”
Our gala, called LOVE WALLOON, is not only a fundraiser but a time to express our gratitude and love for a place that many of us feel is sacred, that brings our families together.
On August 14, you’ll experience a night of cool jazz from the band Djangophonique; delicious appetizers, entrees, and desserts from Wineguys, plus a Walloon Lake cocktail created especially for our gala; dancing under the sparkling lights inside Lavender Hill’s fa-
mous barn; a unique photo-op with a surprise classic Walloon item; a live auction by the well-known auctioneer Scott MacKenzie featuring dozens of incredible national and localofferings to bid on, including a hot air balloon ride over Walloon Lake; and a silent auction with everything from American Spoon Foods delicacies to delicious dinners cooked by local chefs, paintings of Walloon Lake by local artists, and handmade jewelry crafted by a silversmith who lives on the shores of Walloon. We couldn’t think of a better location to celebrate our success. We are looking forward to gathering with you at Lavender Hill Farm on August 14.
See you there!
Mary Ellen Geist CO-CHAIR OF WLAC’S
PROTECTING OUR LAND TOGETHER: Community in Conservation
Around Walloon Lake, conservation isn’t just about preserving views or protecting water — it’s about partnerships. It’s about neighbors, local organizations, and local leaders coming together to ensure that the land we all care about remains open, healthy, and productive for generations to come.
One of the most effective ways this is happening is through the purchase of development rights (PDRs). This tool allows landowners to be compensated for giving up the right to develop their land, while keeping it in farming, forestry, or its natural state. These projects don't come together overnight — they take coordination, funding, and trust.
That’s where strong community partnerships make all the difference.
When local conservancies, like the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) and Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC), work side-by-side with townships, counties, and other organizations, they can leverage resources and apply for competitive state and federal funding. These collaborations help stretch local dollars further and ensure that landowners have the support they need to protect their land in a way that works for them.
“Little Traverse Conservancy is incredibly grateful for our partnership with WLAC.” says Caitlin Donnelly, Director of Land Protection at Little Traverse Conservancy. “Fundraising for purchase of de-
velopment projects can be challenging, and with the contribution from WLAC and our other partners, including the landowner, we were able to protect this highly valuable land from development.”
The farm, located along Horton Bay Road, spans 124 acres, with about one-third of it falling within the Walloon Lake Watershed. The land itself is a mix of hay and pasture, cultivated crop fields, and forested areas including deciduous, evergreen, and mixed woodlands. It’s a diverse landscape that reflects both the area’s agricultural traditions and its ecological richness.
PDR programs help preserve farmland, natural areas, scenic views and open spaces while allowing property owners to receive income from their land without selling it for intensive development.
Through the Resort Township PDR program, an interested landowner negotiates with the Conservancy and can voluntarily sell all, or possibly part, of the development rights of the property. The landowner retains full ownership of the property, but the negotiated rights to further develop the property are retired and a conservation easement is placed on the land and recorded with the title.
The landowner can continue to use their land for the purposes specified in the negotiated conservation easement and allowed by the Zoning Ordinance, such as farming, timber, hunting, or a residence. Property taxes can be reduced when a conservation easement is recorded. If the land is sold or inherited,
the conservation easement remains with the property (Resort Township Website).
Recent projects around the watershed have shown just how effective this approach can be. Instead of working in isolation, partners are identifying high-priority parcels together, pooling expertise and dollars, and supporting landowners through the complex process of applying for and securing conservation easements or PDRs.
These efforts aren’t just preserving open space — they’re strengthening the agricultural economy, maintaining the rural character of our communities, and protecting the clean water that flows into Walloon Lake and other water bodies.
As more landowners express interest in voluntary conservation, it’s clear that the path forward is rooted in cooperation and collaboration. The future of Northern Michigan depends on these kinds of community-based solutions — ones that reflect the values of the people who live here and the partnerships that keep it all moving forward.
Looking east over the south end of the property towards Walloon Lake
Looking northwest over the land towards Horton Bay Road
Looking northeast looking towards Lake Michigan
Evolving Our Methods TO PROTECT WALLOON LAKE
Walloon Lake holds a special place in the lives of all those fortunate enough to spend time on or near its precious waters. That’s why for years the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy has worked handin-hand with the local community, partner organizations and our valued donors to conserve and protect this lake that we all treasure. But as the threats to this watershed evolve, so too must our conservation efforts.
Historically, we’ve protected the watershed through three methods: WLAC-owned and managed nature preserves, conservation easements, and partnerships with outside organizations. These tactics have brought us enormous success over the years and today we actively steward over 2,300 acres of land within the Walloon Lake watershed, including 54 preserves and 20 conservation easements ranging in size from 0.25 to 153 acres. To maximize our impact, we’ve mailed all landowners within our top two tiers of priority lands. These include parcels with sensitive habitats, shoreline frontage, connectedness to adjacent protected land, or key ecological features. By identifying and contacting these landowners proactively, we hope to start conversations and build trusting
relationships that lead to greater awareness and interest in permanent land protection.
While much of our past work has come from landowners reaching out to us or referrals from community members, this approach is a more targeted and strategic effort to focus on the lands that can have the greatest environmental impact on the watershed. Recently, we received our first response to our outreach from a landowner who was curious about why their land is so important to conserve. While this conversation is still ongoing, they appreciated that we were being proactive in safeguarding land around Walloon Lake and remain open to learning more about conservation easements and how their land could be protected. It was a great reminder that outreach is often about planting seeds—it may take time, but thoughtful, consistent communication can lead to important opportunities down the road.
Protecting the Walloon Lake watershed is a community effort. Every successful conservation project depends not only on the willingness of a landowner to protect their land, but also on the support of our donors and members who make it possible for us to do this work. Your contributions help fund our outreach, stewardship, and the long-term care of protected lands, as demonstrated through the establishment of our new Land Protection Fund.
The Land Protection Fund is a vital tool for the WLAC in growing land acquisitions
which allows us to respond nimbly to possible land purchases, including these properties:
• Unnis Forest Preserve
• Frog Hollow Nature Area Addition
• Maus Addition to Mill Pond Nature Area
• Old State Road Preserve
The fund currently holds more than $1,000,000 but we are far from the ultimate finish line. As we evolve our conservation efforts, your continued support ensures we can preserve the lands that matter most. Together, we're building a lasting legacy for Walloon Lake. Not just for those who enjoy it today, but for the generations who will walk its trails, paddle its waters, and enjoy its natural beauty long into the future. Every protected parcel is a promise kept, a piece of the bigger picture, and a testament to what we can achieve when landowners, community members, and conservationists come together with a shared vision.
If you are interested in giving to the Land Protection Fund, you can donate here. Your donation of $1,000 or more will welcome you into the exclusive Guardian Circle.To learn more about the options for protecting your land or to help connect us with other landowners, please contact Tanner Yurk, Conservation Programs Manager, tanner@ walloon.org or (231) 535-6112, ext. 150.
Structural Geotechnical
• onsite septic systems
• drainage plans
• structural engineering
• site plan development
• materials testing
• shoreline protection design
406 Petoskey Ave, Charlevoix, MI 49720
Phone: (231) 547-2121
Email: info@performanceeng.com www.performanceeng.com
SOUND DOWN FOR SUMMER!
By Steve Dutton
WHOOPEE!! Another summer season is upon us, and we all look forward to enjoying the recreational and restorative opportunities provided by our cherished Walloon Lake resource. Hallmarks of this resource include our pristine water, and the beautiful and serene setting in which we enjoy it.
DROP IT DOWN LOW
DROP IT DOWN LOW
Many Wallooners continue to be concerned about the impact of loud audio sound emanating from powerful speakers on boats cruising the lake. Many of us may not realize how well sound carries over an expansive body of water, particularly in the stillness of the early morning and evening hours. The amplified music you are enjoying from your boat can become an unintended, yet unwelcome intrusion upon your neighbors, even some distance away.
So, this summer, let’s ‘Keep It On the Down Low’ with respect to the audio from our boat speakers. Mute the volume or set it to a level that is contained within your boat. You’ll still have a great time and your neighbors will appreciate it!
BE SAFE, BE RESPONSIBLE, BE CONSIDERATE
MINNOVATIVE WATERSHED COLLABORATIVE UNANIMOUSLY
APPROVED
For All Five Townships On Walloon Lake
ichigan, the Great Lakes State, champions its beautiful lakes as part of its identity. For decades, however, many of the 11,000 inland lakes across the state’s Upper and Lower Peninsula have struggled with governance of these lakes, and with the attempt to create unified efforts to protect and preserve them for the future.
Walloon Lake, located near Petoskey and Boyne City in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula, is a 4,270-acre freshwater lake with 30.3 miles of shoreline and 26,500 acres of watershed. Like many of Michigan’s lakes, it shares its waters, shores and watershed with multiple government entities, which can make everything from protecting shoreline, enforcing boating safety regulations, creating new septic regulations, preventing pollution, staving off invasive species, and obtaining grants for improvement projects and research extremely difficult.
Walloon Lake straddles two counties: Emmet and Charlevoix – and five townships: Melrose, Bay, Evangeline, Resort and Bear Creek.
The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy (WLAC) has spent many years trying to come up with a way to get all the townships and counties to come together to share concerns about the lake and the watershed, and to secure conservation practices and communication for the future.
WLAC researched a potential government entity called a Lake Board, among many other options, including a Lake Association and Township Public Works, but none of them seemed appropriate for what the townships, counties and concerned citizens wanted to achieve. After much discussion with government officials, community organizations and residents, Board member and Government Affairs Committee Chair Mary Ann Smith spearheaded the effort to create a Memorandum of Understanding called “The Walloon Lake Watershed Collaborative” (WLWC).
It is the first MOU of its kind in the State of Michigan, which joins five townships and two different counties with the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy to work together in a non-binding agreement to preserve and protect Walloon Lake and its watershed. The MOU will serve as a framework for the parties to communicate, collaborate and work together.
Among its many purposes, the Collaborative commits to protect and preserve the Walloon Lake Watershed as a vital natural resource, calls for coordination of the investigation, preparation and consideration of policies and programs related to septic system regulation for public health, and pledges information sharing and documentation of relevant issues affecting the Walloon Watershed. It also calls for collaborations on public education and outreach programs. (See final document, attached).
The Walloon Lake Watershed Collaborative will be composed of six members, including the Township Supervisors from each township as well as a representative from the WLAC.
After much discussion, all five townships unanimously approved the agreement, which became effective on May 22, 2025.
WLAC Board Member Holly Angileri has been chosen by the Board to represent the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy. She will join the five supervisors on
the new Walloon Lake Watershed Collaborative.
President of the Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy Board, Marty Makinen says, “The five townships in Walloon’s watershed and the WLAC took a major step in their longstanding collaboration to protect their common asset by forming this ground-breaking agreement. Working together, they will harmonize efforts on issues such as green space requirements and septic systems to the benefit of all who live, work, and play in the watershed.”
Chair of WLAC’s Government Affairs Committee, Mary Ann Smith says, “It was a pleasure to partner with each Township Supervisor and their Board of Trustees during the editing and approval process to create the Walloon Lake Watershed Collaborative. It is a true example of when there is a vital natural and economic gem, like Walloon Lake, 5 different governmental entities can come together and form a partnership to protect a greater shared community.”
For news coverage of this important and precedent-setting step in preserving and maintaining one of Michigan’s most beautiful lakes, please see contacts at the top of this press release, or contact Kenzie Boesen, Membership and Communications Coordinator, Office (231-535-6116 ext 130, Cell (989)370-6142.
Guardian Circle LIST
Please join us in welcoming, and thanking, our first-ever group of Guardian Circle members of WLAC. Our Guardian Circle is a special group, composed of donors who contribute $1,000 or more annually to our Guardian Fund. These members help us keep our critical work feasible and we are tremendously grateful for their support.
Allen and Jane Damschroder
Andrew and Mary Jo Keller
Anna and Michael Miller
Barton and Sarah LaBelle
Brock Hastie
Bruce and Dale Frankel
The Castleberry Family
Catharine and Jeffrey Lowe
Cathy and Marc Scheineson
Charles and Catherine Ross
Christopher Swanson
Chris Voran
Craig and Kelly Dean
D. Christian Krimendahl
Daniel and Sue Duval
David and Deborah Deal
David and Julie Egger
David and Linda Johnson
David and Teresa Crouse
Denise Bull
Derek and Carolyn Kerr
Dick and Marni Waterfield
Donald and Jan Klopcic
Donald and Patricia Kiernan
Doug and Stacy Wellings
Edward and Janet Mardigian
Eric and Donna Collins
Geoffrey and Kathleen Fieger
George and Beverly Biltz
George and Phyllis Googasian
Gertrude Marcum
Glen Seaman and Janet Sofy
Gordon and Katie Coleman
Gunnar and Louise Klarr
Hilton and Lisa Garner
James and Diane Shaheen
James and Lauren Macintyre
James and Mary Daniels
James and Susan Monton
Johannes and Deborah Kurd
John and Joan Hillenbrand
John and Judy Santeiu
John and Julie Holder
John and Margaret Jaqua
John and Sarah Hastings
John Hegener and Janet Warner
Joseph and Michelle Fabiano
Joseph Seka and Sarah Murchison
Judy Mainland
Julia Maus
K. Larry Hastie
Karen Crossland
Kari and Ryan Dietsch
Kenza and Karen VanAssenderp
Laurel McAteer
Lee and Jackie Parrish
Lisa MacDonald
Liz Krimendahl
M. James and Kelly McKee
Maggie Charlton
Margery Ternes
Marguerite Smith
Marilyn Keller
Mark and Denise Dudenhoeffer
Mark and Diane Colleran
Mark Ayres
Mary Ellen Geist and Timothy van Laar
Matthew and Joddy Perry
Matthew and Kelly Shuert
Matthew and Meghan Thatcher
Michael and Ann Hayes
Michael and Christina Manchester
Michael and Holly Angileri
Michael and Mary Ann Smith
Michael and Melanie DeAscentis
Michael and Noreen Parker
Mike and Debbie Newman
Miriam Hollar and Thomas Schulingkamp
Neal and Lucinda MacLean
Paul and Barbara Malloure
Paul and Lee Harkaway
Peter and Karen Cullman
Peter and Margaret Shields
Peter and Pamela Kepic
Phil and Carol Manthei
Ralph and Patti Miesel
Richard and Alexandra Ferrara
Richard and Catherine Lange
Richard and Deborah Baxter
Richard and Donna Gross
Richard and Kathryn Lenter
Robert and Cornelia Eaton
Robert and Mary Bessette
Robert and Sandy Flynn
Robert Meek
Rosemary Geist
Russel and Kathleen Kittleson
Sally Swanson
Scott and Barb Muhlhauser
The Shuert Family
Sonja and Jon Perkins
Stephan and Jeanne Weitzel
Stephen and Judy Dobson
Stephen and Molly Kircher
Stephen and Teresa MacEachern
Steve and Renee Alexandrowski
Susan Galbraith and Jeffrey Weinstein
Suzanne and Mike Malenfant
Ted Hingst
Thomas and Jodie Kennedy
Thomas and Marianne Barry
Thomas and Molly Saeli
Thomas and Susan Ervine
Timothy and Beth Boutell
Timothy and Pam Manthei
Vicki Otten
Wayne and Christine Lippert
Wayne and Nanette Derkac
William and Jane Stone
William Makinen and Holly Wong
If you are interested in learning more about our Guardian Circle, please contact the WLAC office at 231.535.6112 or wlac@ walloon.org
Members Joined
Beehler, Lance & Christine
7700 Fox Run
Petoskey, MI 49770 (317) 716-1851 pencebee@yahoo.com
Bohne, Jane and Kip 2435 Eagle Island Rd
Boyne City, MI 49712 1059 Young Pl. Ann Arbor, MI 48105 (517) 290-0566 thejoyworker@yahoo.com
Breithaupt, Jon and Kennedy 409 Trent St Boyne City, MI 49712 (231) 632-0135 jjbreithaupt17@yahoo.com
Churchill, Kelsi
4235 N Wildwood Harbor Rd Boyne City, MI 49712 kelsilchurchill@gmail.com
Cline, Randy & Patty 5440 Lake Grove Trail Petoskey, MI 49770 (317) 413-7983 (317) 418-8013 randy.s.cline@gmail.com clinepm@gmail.com
Fisher, Sarah P.O. Box 637
Walloon Lake, MI 49796 (585) 698-4653
Sarahcraib2016@gmail.com
Great Lakes Center for the Arts
800 Bay Harbor Drive
Bay Harbor, MI 49770 (231) 439-2606 info@greatlakescfa.org csmith@greatlakescfa.org
Hegewald, Thomas
840 Mayhew Wood Dr. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 (616) 228-2218
thomashegewaldphotography@yahoo.com
Kuhn, Jeffrey S. & Stacey
Shelby & Ryleigh 07790 Zenith Heights Road Boyne City, MI 49712 6849 Deerhill Drive Clarkston, MI 48346 (248) 459-4050
staceylkuhn@comcast.net jeffreyskuhn@comcast.net
Schildt, Julie & Joe 1306 Bellewood Road
Anchorage, KY 40223 (502) 262-5855
julia.h.schildt@gmail.com
Shuert Family, The 5995 Tamarack Lane
Petoskey, MI 49770 1111 Pembroke Drive
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (248) 765-1619
kshuert@shuert.com
Shuert, Kelly & Matthew 3880 Lake Grove Road Petoskey, MI 49770 1111 Pembroke Drive Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304 (248) 765-1618 (248) 765-1619
mshuert@shuert.com
kshuert@shuert.com
Webb, Mary 3060 Hilton Ln Petoskey, MI 49770 (314) 956-0000
mwhttd@aol.com
COLIN ROBBINS
Summer Intern
Colin Robbins is a Northern Michigan native who grew up just north of Walloon by Burt Lake. He just finished his masters degree at Indiana University in Environmental Sustainability. Outside of the office, he enjoys running and spending time with family and friends, preferably on a lake!
Over the years much has been written about the legendary steam boats, the sleek and stylish sailboats and the powerful Chris Crafts that have graced the waters of Walloon. But there have been other quaint, distinctive boats with unique characteristics that have also amused or enthralled Wallooners.
Take, for example, the 22 foot, steelhulled lifeboat of the J.B. John, a Great Lakes freighter. Today the 100 year old lifeboat rests in a place of honor on the dock near the clock tower of Petoskey's Bayfront Park. But for more than 25 years this big, somewhat cumbersome boat could be found on Indian Garden Road, on the shores of the North Arm.
Built in England in 1909, the J.B. John, known by a number of other names, including the Galster, was purchased by the Petoskey Portland Cement Company in 1922. It was a boat with a colorful past, having survived killer storms, two world wars and German torpedos before ending up in the more peaceful climes of the Great Lakes.
FACINATING BOATS on Walloon
By Lauren Macintyre
So how did the lifeboat of this enormous, 250 feet Great Lakes freighter find its way to Walloon? It turns out that the J.B. John's chief engineer was longtime Petoskey resident Ervin Wendorf, whose son Bob lived on Indian Garden. After Ervin had retired, and the J.B. John was decommissioned and destined for salvage, the lifeboat was gifted to him. It eventually found a new home with son Bob on Walloon.
What a sight that must have been, to see this massive life boat out on the North Arm. Bob's daughter Tammy Wendorf LaPointe, who grew up on Indian Garden, vividly recalls family gatherings centered around the boat. "It was a beast to row," she chuckles, "but so much fun. My dad just loved taking the neighborhood kids out on it."
Wallooner Kris Trautmann, who grew up next to the Wendorfs, was one of those neighborhood kids. "We would continually pester Mr. Wendorf to put the boat in the water so we could all hop in it and try to row it." The actual task of rowing the 20-passenger lifeboat, however, usually required a retinue of able-bodied adults.
After many years went by and the family moved off the lake, Tammy
Wendorf LaPointe, recognizing the importance of the boat to Petoskey's maritime history, made the decision to donate the boat to the Little Traverse Historical Society. The boat was fully restored by Captain Lon Calloway and painted white, although it had been black for much of its life
Maritime enthusiasts can find a treasure trove of information about the fascinating history of the J.B. John/Galster in the archives on the websites of LTHS or Greenwood Cemetery.
DELTA QUEEN
While the name of this steamboat generally evokes a mighty paddle wheeler cruising down the Mississippi, Walloon actually had its own slightly smaller version. This miniature Delta Queen was the ingenious work of Frank "Bert" Burns, a highly respected carpenter and machinist whose handiwork graces many a Walloon cottage. Bert took a float boat and added bits and pieces of machinery, including a hay baler, an air compressor and a cement mixer. With some assistance from
Right- Although the J.B. John lifeboat now rests on the dock at the Petoskey bayfront, for many years it made its home on Walloon.
Above - The Wendorf family and friends rowing the J.B. John lifeboat on Walloon in 1969, with chief engineer Ervin Wendorf steering. At that time the boat was painted black. (Above photo courtesy of the family)
his good friend and boat expert Si Simpson and other buddies, the boat was completed around 1963.
The construction of the steamer was a laborious process, according to Bert's daughter Barb, who still lives nearby. She remembers that her father bought an old boiler for the boat that had been kept in a field and restored it over several winters. He built the paddle wheel of old steel rods and wood paddles, and created a reverse mechanism. As a final touch two old train whistles were added.
When the steamer was completed it was a testament to Bert's expertise and ingenuity. Every year Bert put the boat in the water, keeping it docked at the family cottage off Howard on the North Arm. It attracted much attention whenever it was out on the lake, and children would run down to the lake to wave and listen as Bert sounded those train whistles.
After Bert passed away in 1987, the boat eventually fell into disrepair, but his daughter Cindy held on to it. She then passed it to her son Gene David, who now lives on a lake near Stanton, Michigan. Gene did a complete restoration of the boat, and it returned in all its glory to Walloon for a few years. For several years the Delta Queen participated in a Labor Day steamboat race against David Beier's well-known steam launch Windemere from the Walloon Lake Inn.
Highly developed, humorous rules were established for this "Ancient and Honorable Sport of Contests of Speed" including proper attire and etiquette, which could be suspended for any actions that added to the mirth and merriment of the event. Bert certainly would be happy to know that the Delta Queen usually won the race.
It has been quite a few years since the boat has visited Walloon, but Bert's masterpiece is still owned and preserved by his grandson Gene David. The Delta Queen will always be part of Walloon's boating legacy.
MISS WALLOON
One of the most thrilling sights on Walloon is the annual Walloon Woodies Show at The Foot, which showcases a multitude of gorgeous vintage wooden boats. Walloon has an amazing lineup of classic wooden boats — Chris Craft, Riva, Century, Hacker
Craft and more. One of the stars of the show is always the sleek, elegant Miss Walloon, owned and beautifully maintained by Tom Borisch.
What makes Miss Walloon special is the fact that she was built in 1923 at the fabled Masters & Hass Boat Works of Walloon. One of the earliest boat companies in the Village, and perhaps the longest-lived of all, it was founded around 1905 when master boat builder Walt Masters, Sr. and leading citizen Alfred J. Hass teamed up to build boats during the winter months. Apparently Mr. Masters had the engineering ability needed to build excellent boats, while Mr. Hass had the marketing ability to sell them. The company produced as many as 75 of it highly prized boats per year in its heyday.
Masters and Hass used the esteemed John Hacker's "APBA Raceboat" plans to build the 26 feet long Miss Walloon. Interestingly, it has a Capitol Converted WW1 Hispano Suiza aircraft engine, now fully restored. The king plank under the front deck still has original stencil "W. J. Masters," likely from the lumber shipment.
It is highly possible that Miss Walloon was originally a well-known boat on the lake named Arab. Little else is known about
the boat's long history, but apparently she never strayed too far from the Walloon area. She was found in a barn in Indian River by a collector, and Tom later purchased it from the estate.
"She was in very poor condition," notes Tom, "and underwent a long restoration process which took three years." Miss Walloon was expertly restored by Wallooner Jon Reus, who owns Macatawa Bay Boat Works in Saugatuck.
The next time you attend one of the woodie shows, you will certainly want to look for the stunning, historic Miss Walloon.
Photos of Miss Walloon and her aircraft engine courtesy of the family.
The Delta Queen, shown in the Walloon Lake News, August 1974, with Frank “Bert” Burns at the helm
GET INVOLVED!
WLAC is seeking Trustees, Lake Ambassadors, and Committee members.
If you are interested in getting more involved and making a difference, please contact Jon Breithaupt, Executive Director at jon@walloon.org
In Memoriam
BORGE
REIMER, January 18, 1931 - February 8, 2025
Borge Reimer, 94, passed away peacefully at 7:25 am on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in his home in Petoskey, MI of natural causes. He was surrounded by family.
Borge was born January 18, 1931 in Odense, Denmark. He was the son of Carl and Gudrun Reimer.
Borge and his late wife, Hennie, lived in Northern Michigan since the early 1980’s. Initially they divided their time between their homes on Lake Walloon and in Petoskey, and ultimately settled permanently in Petoskey. They were both born in Denmark and came to Petoskey via St. Catharines Ontario, Toledo Ohio and Longboat Key Florida. They were members of Walloon Lake Country Club.
Borge graduated as a mechanical engineer from Odense Maskin Teknikum, Denmark in 1953. He subsequently emigrated with his wife Hennie. He joined Hayes-Dana Limited in Canada, a Dana Corporation subsidiary, in 1956 as a project engineer and advanced to chief product engineer. In 1966 he was named plant manager of Hayes-Dana’s frame plant. The following year he became director of sales and engineering. He was promoted to vice president – Chassis Division in 1968, a position he held until his election as executive vice president and general manager of Hayes-Dana in 1969. He
was also elected to the Hayes-Dana Board that same year, and was named president in 1970.
In 1972 he was elected chairman of The Canadian Automotive Parts Manufacturing Association.
Borge and his family emigrated to Toledo, Ohio when Borge became Group Vice President and a member of the Policy Committee of Dana Corporation in 1973. He became Senior Group Vice President in 1976. He was named President - Industrial in 1978 and appointed Executive Vice President in 1981. In addition to his position of Executive Vice President, Borge was President Dana Europe from December 1986 through July 1993.
Borge was responsible for Dana’s inhouse education including the Dana University Business, Technical and Customer & Industrial Schools. He also oversaw Dana’s Technical Resource Park. Throughout his career, Borge also served internationally on the boards of Dana Corporation affiliates in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
Borge completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. He was a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario Canada, The Society of Automotive Engineers and its Emerging Technology Advisory Board. At the University of Toledo, he was a member of the Business Advisory Council and the Manufacturing Management Advisory Board.
Borge retired from the Dana Corporation in 1996 after close to 40 years of service, but continued to serve as Senior Advisor Advanced Technology and Technology Planning for an additional three years.
Borge and Hennie Reimer chose a life rich with public service, working with organizations including The University of Toledo schools of Business and Engineering, St. Vincent’s Medical Center (Toledo, Ohio) and the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota, Florida, and numerous other community organizations in St. Catharines and Toledo. Believing in strategic philanthropy, when the Reimers settled full time in the Petoskey area they investigated local organizations and decided to share their time, expertise, and charitable giving with the then Northern Michigan Regional Hospital, now known as McLaren Hospital. They appreciate the efforts made at the hospital to provide innovative healthcare in a beautiful setting, and feel that such efforts should be supported.
Borge is survived by his daughter Tina (Alexander Sr) Petok, his son Glenn (Heidi) Reimer, his grandchildren: Alexander Petok Jr, Nicholas Petok, Catherine (Petok) Coyle, Colleen Reimer, Stephanie Reimer, and his great-grandchildren: Dylan Petok, Andrew Petok, Alexandra Petok, and Maximo Petok.
Borges’s legacy of love and dedication will live on in the hearts of all who knew him. He will be lovingly remembered by his family and friends.
Make plans to join the Miami University Alumni Association Tip of the Mitt chapter for the
ANNUAL SUMMER GATHERING
TUESDAY, JULY 22 • 6 P.M.
WALLOON LAKE COUNTRY CLUB
5995 Country Club Shores • Petoskey, MI 49770
More details to come!
Cost is $75. Please register by July 11 at MiamiAlum.org/TipoftheMitt25.
For registration questions, contact Emily LeFevers at 513-529-1497 or email bostiae@MiamiOH.edu
For general event questions, contact Kathy Schmitt ’85 at 513-518-2048 or email KathyDSchmitt@gmail.com
At Pella, our customers are our community. That’s why we’re committed to providing the kind of exceptional service we’d want our own friends and family to receive. Every project is backed by The Pella Promise: simple end-to-end process, expert guidance, guaranteed warranty.
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