PEEPS & EATS (people + food) | Good Deeds
Celebrating goodness
by Lauren Caggiano
within our community.
Good Deeds Nominee:
Renea Salyer Hometown: Warsaw The Deed:
nary item new life as Renea Salyer is giving an ordi utive director of the exec The n. a public art attractio of Commerce is the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber the ‘Red Canoe Project.’ organizational brains behind nters bring cheer -pla These canoes-turned-flower serve to honor they as , sites and nostalgia to the are presented /or and ity, mun com the in loved ones ds and family. frien d as memorials to honor decease
the SWCC Foundation, was in the beginning stages of planning beautification projects for the Town of Syracuse, and reached out to Roxann to partner in creating more red canoe planters.
So the project took off. Who paints the canoes?
In 2020, six canoes were donated by local residents and painted by volunteers. Then, they were placed throughout town.
How can people find the canoe locations? And, how is it bringing people together?
Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber created a map in their 2021 directory of the locations of the canoes. Folks can go hunt for them and share pictures on their social media.
What’s next for the project? How many are being placed this year?
This year, we will place canoes 7 through 11, and hope to end with at least 12 canoes in the community.
How often will the flowers within the canoes be changed?
Canoes will be filled with various seasonal plants and flowers that will change throughout the year.
How did this project come about?
The project began last year (2020) with the first canoe placed at the south side of town, at the ‘Syracuse’ sign designed by Roxann Arnott (on SR 13). The canoe is in memory of Arnott’s dear friend, Annie Laurie Hardie. The Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber's foundation arm,
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LAKElife Magazine August 2021
How can readers learn more?
Anyone interested in making a donation to the project or sponsoring a canoe in memory or honor of a loved one is invited to call the Chamber at 574.457.5637, or email renea@swchamber.com. Do YOU want to nominate someone for a good deed? It’s easy. Just email Sue at sue@lakelifemagazine.com. She’ll take care of the rest!
