County Claims to Fame »»Milford is home to one of the largest commercial duck farms in the U.S., Maple Leaf Farms. »»The Barbee Hotel, today a dining destination maintaining its historic name, has a colorful history of hosting both famous and infamous clientele— from movie stars Carole Lombard + Clark Gable, to mobsters John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson and Al Capone. »»Largest natural lake in Indiana: Lake Wawasee »»Deepest natural lake in Indiana: Tippecanoe Lake
Outdoor Adventures for the Kids Ready to get the kiddos out of the house? Great! Enjoy some great activities created with your little ones in mind. The Bug Catch is on! It will happen Saturday, July 4 at 9 a.m., starting at Ruddell Pavilion at Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF) on SR 13, Syracuse, before moving to the lake to catch little critters that show us how clean our water is at the lake. Join us as we get wet and net those immature insects from the bottom of the lake. Appropriate for any child who feels comfortable in the water. Parents should accompany young children into the water. Bring your own water shoes and life jackets (nets optional). Participants will be provided with nets and ID cards to learn about the critters being caught. See you at this ever-popular WACF FREE event!
»»Mentone’s 10-foot-high, 3,000-pound egg may not be at the top of bucket lists, but who isn’t intrigued by the unique claim to fame? Signifying the town’s claim of being the ‘egg basket’ of the Midwest, we’d say it’s clever.
photos by Larry Baumgardt
Wetland Adventures continue this July, every Wednesday morning, beginning at 9 a.m. at WACF’s Ruddell Pavilion located at 11586 State Road 13, Syracuse. No registration is necessary and it is a FREE activity for elementary children who bring a parent or adult with them. One of the most popular activities is a canoe scavenger hunt that is optional, but bring a life jacket if you plan to canoe. Four other activities will be offered, plus a short lesson about the wetlands. Each week is a different set of activities. We will be distancing as much as possible and you may feel free to wear a mask.
»»Preacher and professional baseball player, Billy Sunday, considered one of the most influential American evangelists during the early 20th century, lived in Winona Lake during the height of his evangelistic career. It’s recorded that 250,000 people would crowd the shores of Winona Lake, not only to enjoy the cool waters flowing from springs coursing underground—but to hear his sermons. »»In 1949, at a convention for his thenemployer Youth for Christ, Billy Graham attended a notable night in the former Westminster Hotel in Winona Lake. An all-night prayer meeting was held wherein the group prayed for God to assist Graham in his first crusade in Los Angeles. Thus began the growing fame of the late American Christian evangelist who rose to prominence in the ’50s and ’60s, preaching to millions worldwide. »»Helen Keller, Will Rogers and John Philip Sousa all spoke (or performed) at Winona Lake events. »»Steve Hollar, who played Rade Butcher in the movie Hoosiers is from Warsaw. »»Rick Fox, former NBA basketball player is from Warsaw.
LAKElife Magazine July 2020
31
