LAKElife Magazine - June 2023

Main Channel is one of Indiana’s largest marinas proudly carrying the best brands on the water. With the biggest selection of new and preowned boats, there’s sure to be a dreamboat waiting for you.

Welcome Home!

As your Readers Choice Award #1 lake real estate partner, you can be assured of the highest level of service from us every single time. Our goal is to get you moving quickly and easily with personalized white glove services, and being with you every step of the way, whether you are buying or selling a home. Contact us to hear how we can help lead you home.

Pictured at right is a lessthan-enthusiastic fishergirl.

Surprising, I know, considering her ecstatic grin and very Cosmopolitan style.

Yes, that’s me. Age 3. Mismatched clothes. Untied shoes. Unkempt hair. And a facial expression that reads, ‘You’ll never know what I’m thinking, sucka.’

It’s quite likely thoughts were of something other than fishing. Or, perhaps I was pondering why Dad wanted me to catch something he hated to eat anyway.

I didn’t want to catch fish. Bugs I’d catch; I hated bugs. I’d stomp those suckers with untied shoes All. Day. Long. But fish? They were pretty and nice and fishy and cool. And, really, if one dangled itself from my line, I’d have cried, dropped the pole, and ran for the woods. I’d probably still be running.

Imagine the shape I’d be in by now.

But Dad meant well. He always meant well. Always teaching, always guiding. Always well-intentioned with deliberate discussion.

It made him great at all he worked toward. Dad was the Zest®-fresh-smelling guy who got things done. Who fixed stuff, built stuff, and made the big stuff happen. He was protective, tough, intelligent, had a magnetic laugh, and he was unabashedly outspoken against those without proper manners—or who drove faster than he. God help ya’.

He pushed, preached, led, and directed. He scolded, disciplined, hugged, and comforted. He loved his family. He adored his wife. He proudly served this great country. He worked hard and played with joy in his heart (unless shanking one off the tee). He was both feared and respected. He loved our God. And he provided for his busy family with unwavering loyalty.

Maybe he sounds like your dad, too.

Was he perfect? Heck, no. But guess what? Neither am I. Nor are you (although you’re pretty great).

Like most dads, he did the very best he could for us. And I loved him for that. More time on the planet would’ve been nice, but losing a parent at a young age taught an imperative lesson: very little is really in our control. How we face life while we’re here, however, entirely is so.

It’s in how we recognize the small things. To see the sunset’s changing colors, hear water lap beneath the dock, inhale the scents of nature, and feel summer grass beneath our feet. And—to taste the natural yumms of June’s homegrown strawberries. Yes, the small things.

In June we celebrate the official coming of summer. Lake life is exploding with energy + excitement. It’s time for sun on the skin, splashing in the waters, new adventures, and prime relaxation with smooth tunes in the background. And, it’s time to laugh. These are the themes you’ll see in this issue, made for you.

So, start checking off your bucket list. Celebrate area dads + grads, soak in each smidgen of summer’s arrival—and teach your little tykes to fish the right way—hair brushes still optional.

Warmly, Sue Executive-Editor-With-Less-Matted-Hair-And-Marginally-Improved-Fashion

Meet: Casey Call

Casey has sailed his way to several wins in the annual regatta— but most importantly to Casey, over the years he’s had the joy of sharing the allure of sailing with his wife, Christie, and their son, John—who now has his own thriving E Scow program.

Casey has been racing E Scows on Wawasee since 1987, and continues to participate with his team: father-daughter duo, Louis and Lex Desenberg, and friend Allan Wright.

Despite claims of sailing slower these days, Casey’s passion for the sport has *knot* waned—and he’s currently helping the National Class E Scow Association with its 100-year anniversary.

We’re honored to welcome Casey aboard our LAKElife crew this issue… don’t miss his story on pages 38-39 to learn more!

Racing sailor Casey Call has been frequenting the waters of Wawasee since 1975—and all these years later, waters + wind continue to be his preferred form of compass.

life

magazine

Ron Baumgartner PUBLISHER

rbaumgartner@the-papers.com

Sue Rawlinson-Pais EXECUTIVE EDITOR sue@lakelifemagazine.com

Deb Patterson EDITOR-IN-CHIEF dpatterson@the-papers.com

Steve Meadows DIRECTOR OF MARKETING smeadows@the-papers.com

SALES EXECUTIVES

Susan.Stump@lakelifemagazine.com

Carl.Lauster@lakelifemagazine.com

Karen.Johnson@lakelifemagazine.com

Rebecca.Boone@lakelifemagazine.com

Melinda.Musselman@lakelifemagazine.com

Lynn.Blanchard@lakelifemagazine.com

Cathy.Wilson@lakelifemagazine.com

Welcome to the June masthead! Oh, yes, the supersecret section where I can print ANYTHING I WANT because no one reads it anyways.

So what gibbity-mibbitty-gibberish shall I discuss this month? How about how summer is finalllllyyy officially here?! Yes, June 21 we can ‘up’ our lake celebrations a notch because it is Our. Season.

It’s time to cannonball into the water, turn up the tunes, pursue summer bucket list adventures, and push ice machine motors to the max. Margaritas, anyone?

Why does the masthead always mention margaritas??? A good editor would catch such a redundancy.

Back to June… Along with ugh-may-zing sunshine, warm temps and muchos margaritas, June brings celebration of graduates. Yes, it’s time for grad gifts, grad parties, grad cakes + grad songs like ‘Friends Forever,’ ‘Pomp And Circumstance,’ or ‘School’s Out’—all of which make me cry except good ole Detroit City’s Alice Cooper’s tune. Thanks, Coop— you’re the only artist for my kids’ parties.

June is when charcoal is lit, steaks + veggies sizzle, herbs are harvested, and the best dern cookout celebrations ensue for our greatest goofs, leaders, and protectors—our dads. Father’s Day is Sunday, June 18, so let’s show dads some love (and thanks and respect; he likes those, too).

Strawberries are ripening, roses are blooming and thorning (they’ll get ya), fish are biting, rocks are skipping, and we’re all exploring. Nature is truly such a blessed gift.

Yes, it’s another month of lake celebration and appreciation. Sunshine is hot—so let’s wear sunscreen, and let’s dine al fresco e’ry night unless it pours. Let’s catch every sunset we can, let’s laugh at

Annette Weaver BUSINESS MANAGER aweaver@the-papers.com

Jerry Long DIRECTOR OF CIRCULATION jlong @the-papers.com

Maymie Ankrom GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Shelly Davis WEBMASTER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Ray Balogh, Mary Jane Bogle, Casey Call, Lyn Crighton, Shelley Galbreath, John C. Gill, Jonny Hawkins, Courtney Hladish, Jason Kissel, Bruce Langton, Jerry Parsons, Mike Petrucelli, Pam Schumm, Loren Shaum, Christy Smith

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS:

Mike Deak, Arielle Elise Photography, Allyson Ellis, Bruce Langton, Sue Pais, Loren Shaum, Christy Smith

P.O. Box 188; 206 South Main St. Milford, IN 46542 800.733.4111/Fax 800.886.3796 www.lakelifemagazine.com

life’s faux pas, and can we please shut the dang screen door?? You’ll think of this when a fly buzzes in your sleepy ears. Buh-leave me

Speaking of flies, the art of effective-flyswatter-use takes ninja-like deft. If my kids are reading this (they aren’t) they’re thinking, ‘Oh, no, Mom. Don’t go there.’ But yes. Yes, I shall. If a fly dares rest on my window? It’s. Game. On. Look out Ninja Warriors, Sue’s gotta’ flyswatter. All within my surroundings (my husband and dog, for example) become still as they know what’s coming… it’s a Karate Kid crane kick whilst landing a flyswatter smack to said fly on its final flight.

Ralph Macchio, I get you.

As such, June’s competition with Ron (held the second Tuesday of the third week) will be a Summer Solstice Flyswatter Challenge. Who gets more MiyagiMacchio on insect pests? I might just win this one.

But probably not.

Meet Ron… our region’s publisher extraordinaire, flyswatting fighter, and man behind the scenes. It’s thanks to Ron that LAKElife Magazine is published for you. Yes, by The Papers Inc.—the same publishing house that’s been serving communities for 84 years, located at 206 S. Main Street, Milford, Indiana, 46542.

Our office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for afternoons warmer than 80 degrees, when I blow off work to throw back a few. Don’t tell Ron. Especially if he’s holding a flyswatter.

Before I forget, here’s the one-and-only required paragraph of the masthead: ‘It shall be known that all rights whatsoever are reserved and nothing may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher, who also assumes no responsibility as a result of any information or items advertised herein.’ Those interested in contacting us may call 574.658.4111, or toll-free at 1.800.733.4111.

Check.

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

At four years in, if you’re not already advertising with us, I’m going straight to your dad so he can give you a good talkin’ to. To learn how to advertise in the fastest growing, most fun + made-for-you magazine, please contact Steve Meadows, director of marketing, at 574.658.4111 or toll-free at 1.800.733.4111. Or, email him at smeadows@the-papers.com.

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Editorial suggestions and letters to the editor (that’s me… hi, I’m Sue) are welcomed! Please contact me at sue@lakelifemagazine.com.

LAKElife Magazine contracts with freelance writers and photographers. If you’re a published writer looking for some extra work AND if deadlines don’t give you stomach cramps, then you’re my kinda’ writer. I’d like to grow my team.

If there are questions about anything regarding this family-fun lake publication, I’m yer’ happy, lake loving, flyswatting karate magazine gurl.

Therein concludes our third questionablyinformative masthead of the season. Please enjoy this June issue. It was made for you.

A sincere thanks to all our friends and LAKElife family for making this publication a fabulous possibility. And to all fathers, a sincere Happy Father’s Day to you.

And to my special super-secret masthead club friends, an extra special thanks to you for reading each word—even the small print. You are my people.

Letters to the Editor

Sue, I had submitted my brother’s name for the ‘good person’ (Gratitude) list recently and had heard back from you. And now I have some shots of my granddaughter and her dogs on Tippy this past weekend. We are a 4-generation family enjoying all that Tippy has to offer. And, our granddaughter, Hanna, is a genuine laker through and through. Don’t feel you have to use any of them, but since I had taken them recently, I thought I’d share them with you. Here’s Motley giving Hanna a boost, or a goose! We LOVE your magazine … keep up the good work!

–Betsy Baker, Lake Tippecanoe

Thank you for your interaction, Betsy! That’s what makes this the readers’ magazine. I appreciate your passion for lake life, our magazine, and your fun spirit.

I so look forward to opening the LAKElife Magazine each time I see it in the mailbox! Great job. I just had to send you this photo of two of our great grandsons: Cohen (5) and Henrik (3), enjoying the watermelon while sitting at the sandbar on Memorial Weekend. They are the 5th generation of our Stahly family making lake memories. These guys love helping drive Gramps' and Gigi’s pontoon.

–The Stahly family

What a lovely note; thank you so very much.

Hi Sue,

Just sharing this image from the weekend. Feel free to use… The Hawaiian Shave Ice boat has been so friendly and stopped on the dock for the kids to purchase several times this year. Hope you are well!

–Melissa Schenkel

Hi, Melissa! Thanks for reaching out + sharing a pic. Great to hear from you!

A reader note was not included with this pic, but we’re including as thanks to Darcy for submitting… and we’re printing a nudge of a reminder to send pup pics to sue@lakelifemagazine.com. Let’s fill our August issue with your pawfect furbabies! –photo submission from Darcy Brooks

Gorgeous pic of your sweet retriever, Darcy. Thank you.

The O’Connor family loves Wawasee summer days with Nana, Papi, and tons of cousins!

Thanks!

–Colleen, Lake Wawasee

Thank you for sharing your moments, Colleen!

Greetings LAKElife!

What a wonderful reminder your outstanding magazine is of our shared lake life. Many around Chapman Lakes wanted to see about building more lake life community when we started our Thanksgiving Day “Gobble Wobble” 5k last year. It was a smashing success with over 100 participants. Money raised is going to increased road safety measures for cyclists and pedestrians around the lakes. Plans are already underway for Gobble Wobble ‘23 this coming Thanksgiving. How about a shoutout in your September issue (with bigger print than your masthead!)? Keep being awesome.

– Kent Lundy, Chapman Lakes

Deal! We’re happy to help promote your Turkey Day event— particularly for a fellow Masthead reader. Keep posted for the September issue, readers.

My name is Monica Backs and this is Miley! We live on Chapman Lake in Warsaw, Indiana. –Monica, Chapman Lake

Wow, what a sunset! And double-wow, what a cutiefurbabe. Thank you for sharing, Monica.

Oh,What Fun!

Your Lake Summer Spectacular Bucket List

by John C. Gill

Shimmering beneath the midday sun, a speedboat zips across sparkling waters. In its wake, a wakeboarder catapults above the spray, flipping and twisting with acrobatic precision.

1

Learn to wakeboard or water-ski, then demonstrate your special maneuvers over the waves. Contact the Lake House at Winona Lake for lessons.

3

Get wet for fitness or for fun. Kosciusko Community YMCA offers beginner and intermediate swim courses for youths and adults. Already a swimmer? Enjoy the freedom of an open water front crawl or backstroke.

Awed by the performance, onlookers cheer, and envision their own water stunts. It’s the height of lake season, the perfect time to explore summertime bucket lists. So dive into your dreams, or set sail with the following suggestions for fun and adventure.

Embrace the thrill of racing across the lake when you crew on a sailboat with the Wawasee Yacht Club.

Stay active and healthy. Commit to a workout routine all season. Run, hike, swim, or paddle. Organize a minitriathlon along your shores.

Take your party to the water by renting a Tiki Bar Boat. Select from the Nauti Mule, Nauti Mare, or Tipsy Turtle. Pack your beverages and gather up to 14 of your closest pals for a booze cruise around Lake Wawasee. Nautiwaters.com.

Check out the exciting feats of the Lake City Skiers during their performances on Hidden Lake in Warsaw.

Master the art of fly fishing, then pull on your hip waders and cast for bass and perch off the shores of Dewart Lake or Kuhn Lake.

Catch the Thunder Run. Select a sunny spot along Lake Wawasee for the Sunday morning parade of wooden boats.

Itching to hook that prize catch? Shove off with Webster Lake Guide Service and hunt for elusive muskies.

Ride the Dixie. Relax and cruise Webster Lake aboard Indiana’s oldest sternwheeler. Or, charter the Dixie for an upcoming event.

Unwind with a horseback ride through wooded, hilly terrain at Deka Di Riding Stables in Pierceton. Great for families. Open to all ability levels.

Mount your bike or grab your hiking boots and hit the winding and climbing nine-mile long Winona Lake Trails.

photo: shutterstock.com

Take it off-road to the challenging courses at Reads Racing in Pierceton, where motocross rules.

Schedule a tee time at Maxwelton Golf Club in Syracuse. Just for fun, set up a floating golf green in the lake, and swing at wiffle golf balls from the edge of your dock.

Build a man cave in the basement or barn, or design an outdoor man space. Furnish with a minibar, gaming table, and big screen TV, and decorate in a lake theme. Just add beer.

Hop on the homebrew craze. Get started by purchasing a beginner’s beer making kit. Then frost the mugs and invite the buds for homebrewed suds.

Shop for a smoker or a grill and cook out every night. Or get really serious and build your own masonry barbecue pit.

Rent paddleboards, paddleboats, kayaks, and canoes at Winona Lake Limitless Park and Splash Pad. Pack a picnic, and bring the tennis rackets for a few sets after lunch.

22

19

Select a different restaurant to try each week. Enjoy a waffich at Creighton’s Crazy Egg Cafe & Coffee Bar in Warsaw; savor almond walleye at Noa Noa Wood Grill & Sushi Bar in Warsaw; drool over smoked ribs and pulled pork at Roll-N Smoke BBQ in North Webster; indulge in craft burgers and brews at Oak & Alley in Warsaw.

23

Care to listen?

Get your licks at the Igloo Ice Cream Shop in Silver Lake. Delight in dozens of inventive flavors, and order sweet, frozen treats to take home.

Play a musical instrument? Join the Lake Area Community Band, or audition for Symphony of the Lakes. Organize your own band and perform a sunset set.

24 Make your stage debut. Audition with Wagon Wheel Community Theatre in Warsaw. Or volunteer for a technical crew position with the company.

25

Highlight your “happy accidents” at Happy Trees Studio in Warsaw, where you’ll learn to paint landscapes using the Bob Ross technique. Discover or nurture your artistic talents

Take flight. Hire a helicopter, ultralight aircraft, or a float plane and appreciate lake life from new heights.

And check them off, one by one—embracing each moment, splash, thrill, taste, and adventure. Make your lake season simply spectacular.

at Made on Main Studio in Milford.

PhotoFun

Submitted

A

man. A Chevy shirt. His GeorgieGirl dog. One sweet pontoon.

Submitted by Vivian Bowen.

Nick

Submitted by Jessie Iden.

boats. Hear the thunder?

Submitted by Susan Stump.

The water-loving pup named Laker has a message for us: “plllllbbbbb.”

Submitted by Stephanie Shilling.

Happy 41st birthday to Gretchen… (And soon it’ll be a happy 42!)

Submitted by John Leppert.

It’s the Langton crew with the day’s catch! Happy Father’s Day, gang.

PhotoFun

Here’s our all-American girl Phoebe who loves swimming, fishing, and sunbathing on Beaver Dam Lake.

Submitted by Karen Ravenscroft.

Showing a little Hooooosier love on Beaver Dam Lake.

Submitted by Gary P.

Boys living the good life— but it’s hard to raise your arms like the big kids when you’re wearing floaties.

Submitted by Bruce Langton.

Just a glimpse of summer days with the Pittenger family on Chapman Lakes… six generations strong.

Submitted by Traci Pittenger.

“Look, Mom… one hand!”

Daughter Carli is all smiles, wakeboarding on Beaver Dam Lake.

Submitted by Julie Henderson.

Families who pajama together, laugh together. (What fun!)

Submitted by Lauren Eby, Lake Wawasee.

Our lake girl Aiyanna is UP on the waters of Lake Webster.

Into Summer

by Sue Pais

In June we are full-steam ahead, swinging into summertime splendor.

It’s time for making summer season’s memories of backyard baseball with Dad. It’s time for cookouts, good tunes, friends gathering, laughter flowing, and spirits lifted—both of the heart and perhaps in the glass.

In June, swing sets are busy, outdoor games are played, strawberries are picked, sunshine is brilliant, and waters are warmed.

And it’s in June when we celebrate our region’s dads. We say thanks for guidance, strength, protection, and wisdom. We reminisce about his silliness, quirks, pranks, fashion faux pas, and dad jokes. He’s our favorite goof and most trusted advisor. He’s a balance of extremes; each equally yearned for and treasured.

Even if a phone call away—and despite his busy schedule—Dad answers. He is there. He is dependable. He listens, and advises without restraint. Dad cares more than many may ever know.

So this Father’s Day, on June 18, let’s give Dad more than the big piece of chicken. Let’s give him thanks. Let’s show him love and respect. Grab him a drink, give him a hug, tell him he’s the best.

June is about appreciation. Positivity and beauty is everywhere—from flowers and gardens in full bloom to lake life buzzing with energy; from family time at home and summer vacation for the kiddos to morning coffee overlooking the water—it’s all about goodness. Togetherness. It’s appreciating life’s gifts. It’s appreciating Dad.

And it is, indeed, living The Good Life.

photos: shutterstock.com

photos: shutterstock.com

photos by Arielle Elise Photography

by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Kosciusko County

Lake life is... water fun.

Natural beauty. Family. Friends. Good grillin’ and great times. Don’t you agree?

What does “lake life”mean to you? Let us know. Email your pic to sue@lakelifemagazine.com.

COUNTY SEAT

Warsaw

TOWNS

Burket, Claypool, Etna Green, Leesburg, Mentone, Milford, North Webster, Pierceton, Sidney, Silver Lake, Syracuse, Warsaw, Winona Lake

LAKES

With more than 100 lakes, Kosciusko County is rich with beautiful water venues. Among the many lakes are:

Barbee Lakes, Beaver Dam Lake, Boner Lake, Carr Lake, Center Lake, Chapman Lakes, Dewart Lake, Diamond Lake, Hoffman Lake, Irish Lake, James Lake, Kuhn Lake, Lake Tippecanoe, Lake Wawasee, Oswego Lake, Palestine Lake, Papakeechie Lake, Pike Lakes, Ridinger Lake, Sechrist Lake, Shock Lake, Stanton Lake, Syracuse Lake, Waubee Lake, Webster Lake, Winona Lake, Wyland Lake, Yellow Creek Lake

Lake life is ... family together enjoying the sandbar at Dewart Lake. Submitted by Jessie Iden

Trails

Kosciusko County Trails

Leash-up Fido, lace your sneakers, and enjoy the outdoors. Breathe. Laugh. Exercise. Enjoy Kosciusko County’s trail systems created for you to enjoy.

Beyer-Farm Boardwalk Trail, Warsaw 1013 E. Arthur St. Warsaw.in.gov

Heritage Trail-Winona Lake Trail System, Winona Lake 1001 E. Canal St. winonalaketrails.com

Old Chinworth Bridge Trail, Warsaw 3495 W. Old Rd. 30 574.269.1078

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, Syracuse 1013 N. Long Dr. syracusewawaseetrails.com

Lake life is ... THIS PICTURE.

by

PublicBeaches

Milford

Waubee Park, Camp Mack Rd.

North Webster

Lake Webster Park, Dixie Dr.

Syracuse Hoys Landing, Henry St. Lakeside Park, Long Dr.

PublicAccessSites

Warsaw Center St. Park, Canal St. Pike Lake Park, Arthur St.

Winona Lake

Winona Lake Park, Park Ave.

Have a boat, but don’t live on a lake? Public access sites are as follows:

Upper Barbee Lakes/Kuhn Lake

EMS B6A Lane

Lower Barbee Lakes

Grassy Creek Public Access East 500 North

Beaver Dam Lake

CR 750 West

Center Lake Buffalo Street

Chapman Lake

Chapman Lake Drive + EMS C14

Dewart Lake CR 300 East + EMS D24

Lake Wawasee 9822 North Turkey Creek Road

Palestine Lake SR 25 to 1st Street

Pike, Little Pike Lakes Arthur Street to Pike Lake Park

Shock Lake

North of Syracuse-Webster Road

SR 13 to CR 850N

Syracuse Lake

Medusa Street +

North Front Street

Tippecanoe, James & Oswego Lakes

Grassy Creek Public Access, East 500 North

Waubee Lake

Camp Mack Road at Waubee Park

Webster Lake

Backwater Road + EMS W22

Winona Lake

East Smith Street to Hillside Drive

Wyland Lake

CR 875 East

Submitted

Arielle Elise Photography, Lake Wawasee

Collier’s and Lennox - The Perfect Pair

Award-winning Lennox equipment is backed by the expertise of your local Lennox Premier dealer, Collier’s Heating & Air Conditioning. That’s the perfect pair for your air, giving you perfect air season after season. For a limited time, we’re offering up to $1,900 in rebates through June 16th on a brandnew Lennox system. The industry-leading Lennox equipment with the expertise of Collier’s is a duo that is unmatched. Contact us to learn more today.

the

and

G31 115AH

+ DUAL PURPOSE BATTERIES

DESIGN FEATURES INCLUDE:

• More Capacity Per Module

• More Cranking Power

• Better Temperature Resilience

• Internal Heater for Cold Climates

• Longer Cycle Life

• Bluetooth Monitoring App

• Built in State Of Charge Meter

• Series or Parallel Scalability

• IP-65 Rating

• Available now in multiple group sizes

• Limited 8 Year Warranty

Up to 4 Modules in Series for

24V, 36V, and 48V Trolling Motors.

June Bugs

by Jason Kissel, executive

Most people have a fondness for these insects. This positive association is likely due to:

• their bright metallic green coloration

• the fact they can’t bite, pinch, or sting people

• their lazy, circling flight patterns that make them easy to catch

• the fun buzzing sound they make, and

• their presence (aptly showing up in June) is a sign that summer is nearly here

However, June Bugs can also be pests. Most of a June Bug’s life is spent underground feeding on decaying plant matter. Their tunnels

can damage and dry out the roots of turf grass, vegetables, and to a lesser extent shrubs and trees (but this also provides needed aeration for the soil). Adult June Bugs cause damage by feeding on leaves and fruit. That said, on the whole, June Bug damage is relatively minor most years in Indiana; in the South, they are more prevalent and therefore more destructive.

Adult females lay eggs in the soil in July or August and the eggs hatch in about two weeks. Baby June Bugs are white grubs that feed and grow all autumn, then burrow below the frost line to safely wait out winter.

By spring these voraciously feeding grubs are large, up to two inches long. If you dig up a shovel-full of soil under your lawn, you’ll likely turn up two types of white grubs: June Bug grubs and Japanese Beetle grubs. They are easy to tell apart—the June Bug grubs will be larger and will ‘crawl’ on their backs with their tiny legs extended in the air. Many people use June Bug grubs as fishing bait; one person’s pest is another person’s free bait! The grubs pupate in the spring, emerging in June as the adults we are accustomed to seeing. Then they mate, and the process starts all over again.

As these insects bump into you or land on your backyard hamburger this June, admire their intense metallic green color that is often highlighted with bronze accents—it’s the envy of any custom paint enthusiast. Then, wish it well. If it doesn’t become a flying protein treat for the many birds that feed on them, its offspring will return next June to herald another summer.

ACRES Land Trust is a member-supported nonprofit organization that protects over 7,500 acres of natural and working land in northeast Indiana, northwest Ohio and southern Michigan. More than 2,000 ACRES members make it possible to keep these places protected forever and offer trails for free public use. Learn more at acreslandtrust.org.

director, ACRES Land Trust June Bugs are a group of about 300 different beetles, but in Indiana we tend to call only one insect “June Bug”—which is the Green June Bug, or more officially, Cotinis nitida.

Fun Events At WACF

by Pam Schumm

Saturday, June 3 LAKE TALK + EATS

We start out the month with our first Lake Talk + Eats program. Yes, eats! Breakfast snacks will be available while you listen to the native plant program presented this year by Martha Ferguson from Riverview Nursery in Fort Wayne. Martha will explain how native plants can play nicely with our existing landscape—and benefit birds and insects. This event begins at 9 a.m. After the presentation, browse our vendors and purchase native plants for your landscape. The program will be in the Ruddell Pavilion at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, 11586 SR 13, Syracuse.

Tuesday, June 6 PLAY DAY

Bring the kids for our Play Day, from 9 –11 a.m. The morning will be filled with activities for the kids plus quality time for you and your littles to walk in the woods, explore the trail to the lake, sit at the amphitheater, and watch the wildlife. It’s mostly unstructured time for you and your little ones to be together outdoors. Upon arrival at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, go to the Ruddell Pavilion.

Monday, June 19 SNAPSHOT TESTING DAY

Calling all citizen scientists! You may have heard about testing for oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, turbidity, etc. but do you know how these tests are done, and what they mean? Help us test all the tributaries that feed into Lake Wawasee and Syracuse Lake. We will provide the equipment, teach how to use it, give a few locations to test, and you do the rest! This testing helps us gain insight into ‘hot spots’ where we need to research further, and provides a picture of what our watershed looks like. When new data is together with past years’ data, we gain valuable information about our tributaries. Snapshot Testing Day is from Noon – 5 p.m. You name the time you can arrive at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, and we’ll get you started. Register at pamschumm@ gmail.com.

POLLINATOR WORKSHOP

Also on June 19 we will host the everpopular + always sold-out Pollinator Workshop, beginning at 7 p.m. at Ruddell Pavilion. This is

Lake Ecology Tip: did you know that your boat motor stirs up the lake’s bottom even when it’s several feet away? That brown prop-wash brings the loose sediment to the top of the water, allowing algae to grab the phosphate stuck to the dirt particles. The phosphate feeds the algae and could create a little algae bloom. Moral of the story: idle in five or fewer feet of water, and start recreational boating in more than 10 feet of water. Thanks for helping keep our lakes clear!

For more information on how WACF is taking action to protect and preserve the Wawasee Area Watershed, visit WACF.com or facebook. com/WawaseeConservancy. Sign up for our enewsletter, learn about our watershed projects, or RSVP for an upcoming event. We also have a multitude of volunteer opportunities. We'd love to hear from you!

sponsored by The Watershed Foundation (TWF), Kosciusko Woodland and Water Invasive Partnership, Kosciusko County Soil and Water District, Kosciusko Recycling, and WACF. Brad Clayton (with TWF) will present the program; participants then may take home six native pollinator plants. This event is free to the first 30 registrants so book early. Register at pamschumm@gmail.com.

Friday, June 23 TIGER TRIVIA

Calling all trivia buffs! Tiger Trivia is coming to Trivia FUN Night at the Ruddell Pavilion, 7 p.m. Get your group together and register at info@wacf.com. Refreshments and a cash bar will be available. Cost per table of 8 is $100.

CANOE TRIP

Canoe the 10 lakes is back! Our canoe team is ready to take you on an educational adventure every Friday morning, beginning June 23. Did you know you can see the Continental Divide on this canoe trip? Trips last about four hours, returning home around noon. Register early at info@wacf.com as these trips fill up fast.

June is overflowing with events at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation(WACF), with something for everyone and all ages.

Our

Our

Taking Action

engages with landowners, and

partners to implement solutions to protect our lakes.

It’sABirthdayBash

The 100-Year Anniversary of the E Scow

by Casey Call

photos by Teri Pipp + Wawasee Sailing Community

A birthday celebration will take place at the Wawasee Yacht Club during the annual regatta on June 9-10. The yard will be packed with visitors — both sailing in the event and perhaps enjoying a cocktail at the party Saturday night.

For a group of people who love racing sailboats on Lake Wawasee, this is a special year. The E Scow class has been active locally for more than 40 years, but the class has thrived for 100. In celebration of the occasion, there are special Centennial events happening at sailing clubs around the country, culminating with the National Championship Regatta in Madison, Wisconsin in early September.

Sailors show determination when sailing upwind.

100 Years of History

The name of the boat is an interesting evolution from the early part of the 1900s. “Scow” comes from the general design of the hull, which is a flat bottom with a blunt nose. There was originally the A Scow, which is larger than the E. Imagine trying to get a 38-foot boat (plus eight people!) to another lake for a sailboat race in 1910. That is exactly what multiple teams did, including a group from Wawasee—which led to a decision that a smaller boat would be easier to manage. So the 28-foot E Scow was born in a barn in Pewaukee, Wisconsin in 1923. There were a variety of other scows developed with individual letters, the smaller C Scow (20-foot) and MC Scow (16-foot) among the more popular designs.

Through the years there have been a variety of improvements, such as switching from wood to an aluminum mast and boom, moving from wood to fiberglass hulls in the 1970s, and adopting the ‘asymmetrical’ spinnaker configuration in the 2000s. Other smaller changes have been made as well, but always keeping the strict 'one-design’ concept. This means that all the boats are the same and it is up to the individual teams to out-sail the competition.

Racing Today

The modern day E Scow is a relatively fast, physical, and technical racing boat. The crew consists of either three of four sailors depending on crew weight and wind velocity. The skipper steers the boat and controls the mainsail. The remaining crew are responsible for the jib sail, the spinnaker on the downwind legs, and raising and lowering of the lee boards. Everyone hikes on windy days and continuously adjusts the sail controls.

An E Scow with the spinnaker flying on a windy day will

exceed 25 mph, which requires rapid decisions when racing with other boats. While a new boat has become fairly costly, there are competitive used boats available starting at around $10K.

Centennial Regatta

The Wawasee Yacht Club has hosted the annual E Scow regatta in early June for almost 40 years now, and the event this year will be a special celebration. In addition to the anticipated large turnout of boats, there will be a party on Saturday night which will be focused on the participation of all the people who have been involved through the years. In addition to this special event, our fleet sails multiple races every Sunday morning, making the number of participants through the years in the thousands. If you have ever been in a race or sailed on an E Scow, please plan to attend and celebrate with everyone!

If you are interested in getting involved, please visit our website at wawaseeyachtclub.com. Please add your name to our mailing list or find the crew board under the ‘About the Club’ heading.

Spinnakers flying after a mark rounding. photo by Wawasee Sailing Community

Happy crew on WA-47 between races.

photo by Terry Pipp

GRANDPA’S PLAYBOOK: Fish 7 Benefits Of Teaching Children How to

by Shelley Galbreath

Most of us have memories of doing things with our grandparents, and fishing with grandpa is often one of the top activities shared. It’s a great sport to encourage and teach children a love and respect for nature, the outdoors, and the art of fishing itself. But fishing teaches even more…

Avid fishermen/women know the many added benefits of the sport (in addition to the catch). And when we open the door into nature for youngsters, where creativity, wonder, and exploration are encouraged, it leads to far more than a wriggling fish at the end of a line. It creates connection. Broadening of curiosity. And reward for this thing called patience.

Plus, it’s one-on-one time making lifelong memories, together.

Benefits Of Teaching Children To Fish

1 2 3

A respect for nature —

perhaps this goes without saying, but indeed, to be upclose-and-personal within nature’s environment, where life buzzes about in its natural order is something that can’t be taught; it must be experienced.

Helps develop coordination + balance —

just as riding a bike becomes second-nature, requiring coordination and balance, so too is the art of fishing. Teaching your tykes to fish helps them develop eye-hand coordination, as well as core control and balance. In time, that is.

Develops self-confidence + teaches we don’t catch keepers every time —

isn’t this the truth? Life is as much about recognizing what isn’t worth keeping as it is about the prizes we’re blessed to keep. And when patience isn’t natural for toddlers, yet they wait for their bobbers to dip below the surface, the reward of an eventual catch is almost as grand as the way your heart will swell with pride witnessing the moment. Take a pic. Capture the moment. (Then send it to sue@ lakelifemagazine.com.)

Learn a little biology—

4

where fish live, their habitat, what they eat. Yes, fishing allows an opportunity to teach tykes about the world thriving beneath the water. Its ecosystem. And you, too, can brush up on your biology. (We should never stop learning!)

Nature is full of wonder—

5 6 7

Let tykes explore. If they want to throw rocks instead of fishing, teach them how to skip a rock. Fish later. Feed their curiosity + joy. The outdoors is as adventurous as we make it, so encourage tykes to follow their curiosity. Watch what they’re drawn to. Encourage interactions, and listen as much as you speak.

Consider a cane pole for his or her first fishing rod —

Cane poles are simple to use + without a reel to distract little ones, these can create an effective introduction to the sport. Then after their first few catches, upgrade to a kid’s reel and rod. Small wins=rewards.

The sport teaches patience —

+ that good things do come to those who wait. Patience most certainly is a virtue, and fishing is the grand professor. Fishing can engrain within us a comfort with silence; an allure to nature’s sounds; and it can subconsciously introduce tykes to a form of selfdiscipline to help mold their behaviors and habits for years to come.

Teaching your children and grandchildren to fish reaps far more than the day’s catch. Benefits are bountiful… but the best is their joy when they catch their first reward.

How To Teach Tykes

Bruce’s father was an active outdoorsman who was eager to teach his sons all he knew about nature and fishing. This led Bruce to decide his future profession at an early age—by the third grade, he merged his love for wildlife with art, knowing he wanted to become a wildlife artist. And so he did. In a big way.

But successful career aside (brucelangton.com), one of Bruce’s greatest joys in life? Fishing with his sons, and now, his grandchildren, too. When we were ‘fishing’ for ideas on this topic, we hoped Bruce would indulge us with tips for area parents + grandparents. And sure as the sun sets in the west, he graciously obliged. Thank you, Bruce.

Tips On Teaching Children How To Fish

by Bruce Langton

As I had my own children… I enjoyed teaching my two sons all I knew about this wonderful sport (of fishing) and how to appreciate nature. Below are some tips to introduce children to fishing that can lead to a lifelong love for the sport.

Generating an interest in the outdoors is crucial before children start fishing and will help them appreciate nature.

* Take walks in woods, lakeshores, piers

* Look for turtles and fish along the shoreline

* Help to identify wildlife such as migratory waterfowl, birds and fish

fishing, and observing nature to its fullest,” he said.

photos by Bruce Langton

The right equipment...

* Take your child or grandchild to the local bait shop

* Help them pick out some bait and let them carry the worms

* Buy the right equipment that fits the child correctly

* A child's rod + reel like a ‘push-button’ are preferable as they are easy to use

Be prepared before you go to the water’s edge to fish...

Children are impatient and will want to fish right away so have all your gear set up + ready.

* Prepare the rods ahead of time

* Teach your child on dry land how to cast

* Buy them their own tackle boxes and teach them about everything in it

Be patient…

* Fishing can be boring if you are not catching fish; if you are an impatient person then teaching your child or grandchild could be a chore

* Let your child fish by him or herself; make sure the fishing experience is about the child and not you

* Tell a child how to fish, they might remember… Showing them how to fish, they will learn… Letting them do it themselves will be a lifelong experience

* Fish for as long or short a time as they wish

Ease of fishing…

* Fishing off docks is great… You can catch Sunfish, Bass, Perch, Crappie, and yes even Northern Pike right from a pier

* Fishing with worms + a bobber will always be productive

* Use ‘baby crawlers’ (small night crawlers) as they are easy to put on a hook

* Let your child bait his or her own hook

* I always bring a bucket, fill with water, amd put fish in it fot a short period of time before releasing back into the lake

* Bring a pair of needle nose pliers to help unhook the fish

Being safe…

* Have your child wear the proper life preserver

* Make sure they have a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen

* Pack water and, of course, a snack

Parenting tips…

* Keep things simple… it takes time to learn

* Go slow and have patience

* Some children may not have an interest in fishing so do not force it

* Have FUN and ALWAYS bring a camera

Is clean water important to you? Our services include water softener installation, drinking water systems, iron filtration systems, and more. We also have certified backflow testers! Backflow testing ensures your water supply is protected from contamination.

2023 KAWASAKI SX-R™

2023 KAWASAKI ULTRA® 310LX

2023 KAWASAKI ULTRA® 310X

Fish

Lake Jams

Summer is officially here (woot-woot!)… it’s time for water fun, fishing, and good times. Add a great lake jam and it’s even better:

Hover your cell phone camera over the QR code, watch for a link to appear on your phone, click the link. Easy!

This one is for all those who can bait a hook—and those who can’t. (Or, can they? Yes, watch the video!) Enjoy this month’s happy vibin’ lake jam.

Fishy shirts plus fish on the line make an ideal day for 4-year-old (and 5th generation) Landon, Tippy Lake.

Fisherguy Cruz with his catch from Lake Wawasee. Submitted by Kathy Puckett.

Bites

What a catch for Bruce Langton’s grandson!

Memories made + fish caught from Lake Tippecanoe. Submitted by Suzanne Todd.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS KOSCIUSKO COUNTY

by Ray Balogh

June

Do YOU have an upcoming event? Great! We’re happy to share the news.

Email event information to our pal Ray, at: rbalogh@the-papers.com He’ll be happy to hear from you!

SATURDAY, MAY 27

OPEN VENDOR FAIR

8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tangibles, 111 S. Harrison, North Webster. Vendors: antique/vintage, handcrafted, repurposed/refurbished, painted furniture, home and garden, baked goods.

Meet Aiyanna, Cutie Queen of Lake Webster 2022, submitted by Amy Tipple.

SUNDAY, MAY 28

TAPS ACROSS THE WATER

At Dusk. 30+ musicians scattered around Wawasee, Syracuse, and Papakeechie lakes play ‘Taps’ at 9:09 p.m. after a one-minute period of silent reverence at 9:08 p.m. Hugely popular—all LAKElife area restaurants pause for this as well.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 3-4

VILLAGE ART FAIR

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, downtown Village at Winona, Winona Lake. More than 70 juried artists from across the country, live music, kids’ activities, food vendors. villageatwinona.com

THURSDAY, JUNE 15

HOOSIER RIVERWATCH

9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free Citizen Science Training in Volunteer Stream Monitoring at the North Webster Community Center. Contact paige@watershedfoundation.org or call 574.834.3242 to register.

SATURDAY, JUNE 17

WARSAW CAR SHOW

11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Kosciusko County Fairgrounds, 1400 E. Smith St., Warsaw. Burnout pit, car limbo, push car race, rev competition. Spectators $10 per car (not per person).

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, JUNE 21-22

IDNR SAFE BOATING CLASS

6-9 p.m. each night. Safe boating class at Patona Bay Resort + Marina, sponsored by The Lake Tippecanoe Property Owners Association and The Watershed Foundation. Registration opens May 1 at register-ed.com/events/view/193507.

WEDNESDAY-SATURDAY, JUNE 21-24

MERMAID FESTIVAL

Begins at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Lions Fairgrounds, 410 W. Washington St., North Webster. Family fun and entertainment, food vendors, parades, Cutie King and Queen pageant, Queen of the Lakes pageant. nwmermaidfestival.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 23-25

GOSPEL SING WEEKEND

Friday night through Sunday afternoon, Quaker Haven Activity Center, 111 EMS D16C Ln, Syracuse. Open mic Friday night; live performances all day Saturday; church, lunch and more music Sunday. Rustic cabins, RV sites, primitive tent sites available.

574.834.4193 for reservations, quakerhaven.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 24

DANCE UNDER THE STARS AT TIPPY

7-11 p.m., Tippy Dance Hall, Lake Tippecanoe, 293 EMS T25 Ln, Leesburg. Dance through decades of live music headlined by Woomblies Rock Orchestra of Indianapolis. Cash bars, dinner, retro attire encouraged. Fundraiser for The Watershed Foundation. $100/dinner and dance, $1,250 VIP table of 10. watershedfoundation.org

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

“FIRST LADIES, FIRST!”

4:30-5:30 p.m., Wawasee High School auditorium, 1 Warrior Path, Syracuse. Reenactment of an encounter with Abigail Adams and Martha Washington. Free admission. chautauquawawasee.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 25

PATRIOTIC POPS CONCERT

7:30-9 p.m., Oakwood Resort, 702 E. Lake View Road, Syracuse. Patriotic music performed by Fort Wayne Philharmonic.

(Please call ahead to confirm in-person activities)

WARSAW COMMUNITY PUBLIC LIBRARY

• Library Stories in the Park, 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, June 1, 8, 15, 22, various parks, visit warsawlibrary.org for locations.

• All Day LEGOs, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., June 2, 30, Meeting Room C. LEGOs supplied.

• Story Emporium Bookstore, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, 10, 17, 24, Stafford Book Sale Room. Open to all ages.

• LEGO Club, 10:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 3, Meeting Room C. LEGOs supplied.

• Preschool Activity Stations, 10 a.m.-noon and 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Friday, June 9, 16, 23, Meeting Room C.

• Greyt Readers, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, children’s area. Children read to greyhounds.

• Pet Adoption Dos & Don’ts, 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, June 12, Meeting Room AB, presented by Animal Welfare League.

• Caring for Parakeet Budgies, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 13, Meeting Room AB.

• Make & Take Stuffed Animals, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, June 14, Meeting Room AB. $5, materials supplied.

• Caring for Reptiles, 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Thursday, June 15, Meeting Room AB. Presented by Animal Welfare League.

• Caring for Cats vs. Dogs, 1 p.m.-1:30 p.m. Friday, June 16, Meeting Room AB. Presented by Animal Welfare League.

• Paint with Carl, 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, Meeting Room AB. For ages 15+. $25 covers cost of instruction, acrylic paint, supplies. Payment due at registration.

• Teen LEGO Building Contest, 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, Meeting Room C. Teams of two are given two hours to build a home with garage and backyard. First place prize awarded. Ages 13-17.

• Teen Drop In Zone, 3:30 p.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, Meeting Room C. Games and snacks provided.

For updates, call 574.267.6011 or visit warsawlibrary.org or facebook.com/ warsawpubliclibrary.

The library is located at 310 E. Main St., Warsaw.

WAGON WHEEL CENTER FOR THE ARTS

• Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” various times, June 1-10, $60/adults, $55/seniors 60+, $40/students 13 to college, $30/children 12 and under.

• Jimmy Buffet’s “Escape to Margaritaville,” various times, June 15-24, $50/adults, $45/seniors 60+, $30/students 13 to college, $20/children 12 and under.

• “Kiss Me, Kate,” various times, June 29 to July 8, $50/adults, $45/seniors 60+, $30/students 13 to college, $20/children 12 and under.

Wagon Wheel Community Theatre, 2515 E. Center St., Warsaw. 574.267.2618, wagonwheelcenter.org

NORTH WEBSTER COMMUNITY CENTER

• Boater’s Education Course, 6 p.m. Friday, June 2, to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 3.

• Painting with JH Watkins, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, June 8; 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 10.

• Cardio drumming, 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday; 8:30 a.m.9:30 a.m. Saturday, Culver Family Wellness Center North Wing. $5/class or $40/ punch card.

• Yoga for Everyone, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Culver Family Wellness Center North Wing. $5/class (first class free).

• Pickleball, 9 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday (competitive); 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday (all play); 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Wednesday (all play); 3 p.m.-6 p.m. Friday (beginner), gymnasium. $3/individual.

• Romp & Roll, 5 p.m.-5:45 p.m. Thursday, preschool, 6:15 p.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, toddler; 9:30 a.m.-10:15 a.m. Friday, toddler, 10:45 a.m.-11:30 a.m. preschool, gym mezzanine. $40/child.

For updates, call 574.834.1600 or visit nwcommunitycenter.org or facebook.com/nwcommunitycenter.

WAWASEE AREA CONSERVANCY FOUNDATION

• Native plant sale with educational presentations, breakfast snacks, vendors, 9 a.m. Saturday, June 3, RP, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse.

• Play Day, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, RP, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse.

• Women of Today 5K Run, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10, WACF*.

• Annual Canoe Cleanup Trip, volunteers clear waterways of winter debris to clear path for canoes, 7:30 a.m.-noon Friday, June 16, WACF*.

• Mudtastic Classic mud run with fun and challenging obstacles, 7:30 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 17, WACF* grounds.

• Snapshot Day annual citizen science water quality monitoring event, equipment provided with training, noon-5 p.m. Monday, June 19, LLEC*.

• Pollinator Workshop with educational presentation and six native pollinator plants to take home, 7 p.m. Monday, June 19, RP*. Free for first 30 registrants.

• 10 Lakes Canoe Trip, 7:30 a.m.-noon Friday, June 23. Meet in DNR* parking lot on Hatchery Road, launch at Knapp Lake public ramp. $5/person.

• Adult Trivia Night with Tiger Trivia, refreshments and cash bar available, 7 p.m. Friday, June 23, RP*. $100 per table of 8.

*Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation (WACF), Ruddell Pavilion (RP), Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetland Education Center (LLEC), all located at 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse. 574.457.4549, reservations at pamschumm@gmail.com, wacf.com.

photo by Arielle Elise Photography

Summer

Camp Crosley YMCA

Waterfront overnight and day camps for boys and girls featuring tubing, sailing, archery, horseback riding, and lots of other activities. Fun add-ons also available, including wakeboarding, sailing, scuba, and snorkeling.

Ages: 6-15, plus family camps

Dates: June 18 - August 5

Location: on the shores of Lake Tippecanoe

Cost: $765 campcrosley.org

Camp Ella J. Logan

A camp just for Girl Scouts and their families on Dewart Lake, offering traditional camp activities, plus a special horse camp and single adventure days. Various day, weekend, and overnight camps available.

Ages: kindergarten-15, plus family camps

Dates: June 8 - July 28

Location: Dewart Lake, Syracuse

Cost: $45-$700 girlscoutsnorthernindiana-michiana.org

C.O. Mollenhour Conservation Camp

Separate sleepaway camps for boys and girls that promotes teamwork and outdoorsmanship. Activities include archery, fishing, and canoeing.

Ages: 9-14

Dates: July 9-14 (Boys Camp-currently full) July 16-21 (Girls Camp)

Location: McClures Lake, west of Silver Lake

Cost: $225 comollenhourcamp.org

Baker Youth Club

Warsaw Summer Camp

Day camp focused on health, education, and building social skills. Days are filled with field trips, STEM projects, reading, and fun physical activities.

Ages: Grades K-8

Location: Warsaw

Cost: $90/week; $30/day; $25/week for half-days bakeryouthclub.com

*contact websites for up-to-date availability + pricing details.

You just can’t beat the classic summer camp experience for outdoor fun.

Camps

Let music move your feet + history fill your soul

Camps Calendar

Eco Green Camp: June 6, 13, 19, and 26 at the Lilly Center. High school students will learn about water quality, ecosystems, and more. At the end of this camp, students will receive Teen Master Naturalist certification. Registration required.

WCPL Stories & STEM: June 7, 14, 21, 28, 10:30 a.m. at Warsaw Community Public Library. Bring your elementaryage children and learn about the many aspects of lake ecosystems through stories and hands-on projects.

Critter Encounter: Turtle: June 9, 9:30 a.m. at the Lilly Center. Learn about native turtles through games, story time, crafts, and hands-on interactions. RSVP required.

Critter Encounter: Crayfish: June 23, 9:30 a.m. at the Lilly Center. Learn about native crayfish through games, story time, crafts, and hands-on interactions. RSVP required.

For reservations, visit www.lakes.grace.edu/events.

Saturday, June 24, 7-11 p.m.

• The Watershed Foundation’s largest fundraising event is held in Tippy Dance Hall—an historical building dating back to 1904.

• Groups from the big band era—including Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and the Dukes of Dixieland (among others) played here.

• Big bands became too costly to hire, so teen dancing and sock hops were next to fill the floor.

• In its heyday, the sock-hop, rock ‘n’ roll craze drew as many as 2,000 teens per night on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturday nights!

• Teen dancing took the floor with a DJ spinning tunes from the mid ‘80s through the mid-2010s.

• The Watershed Foundation has hosted their biggest fundraising event of the summer, “The Dance at Tippy” annually since 2019.

• The Dance At Tippy event takes attendees through the decades + up on their feet to dance.

Think the Tippy Dance Hall deserves a full story to learn more? We think so, too. Stay tuned…

watershedfoundation.org

Special thanks to Lyn Crighton for gathering historical data.

Canoe at Winona Lake…

It’s not a camp, but great fun for you and the kiddos. The Winona Lake Park Offices offer canoe, kayak, paddleboard, and paddleboat rentals that run from $7-$15 per hour. So whatever your preferred mode of water transport, they’ve got you. Buckle up those life jackets and enjoy the open water.

photos: shutterstock.com

“Nothing brings people together like good food.”

Bon Appetit '

recipe + photo by Christy Smith, MNT, nutrition counselor

Scrambled Egg + Black Bean Tacos

Tacos aren’t just for Tuesdays! Serve this healthy recipe for a Father’s Day breakfast (or brinner?!), or any day of the week. Add even more veggies like peppers, avocado, tomatoes, and onion if you'd like. Gluten-free tortillas work great too.

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 (15-oz) can black beans, rinsed 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1 clove garlic, finely chopped salt/pepper

3 cups baby spinach

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

8 large eggs

8 yellow corn or flour tortillas sour cream, crumbled queso fresco, and cilantro, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet on medium heat. Add beans, cumin, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook until garlic starts to turn golden brown (about 2 minutes).

2. Add spinach, remove from heat, and toss together until leaves just barely wilt. Stir in lemon juice.

3. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, 1 tablespoon water, and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper.

4. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10inch nonstick skillet on medium. Add eggs and cook, stirring until desired doneness, 2 to 3 minutes for medium-soft eggs.

5. Lightly char tortillas under broiler, or over a gas flame or grill.

6. Fill tortillas with beans, eggs, sour cream, queso fresco, and cilantro, if desired. Top with avocado or salsa/pico de gallo if you’re feelin’ fancy.

Fun Facts:

Eggs have gotten a bad rap over the years, but as part of a healthy diet, eggs can be consumed guilt free! A great, complete protein source, eggs are also filled with selenium, B12, and antioxidants. Not to mention how tasty they are.

Strawberry Sunshine Refresher

story + photo by Sue Pais

Strawberries are in season! So why not enjoy their summertime sweetness in a refreshing cocktail on a sunny June day?

We think this one is berry delicious!

Happy June, lake friends. Cheers!

INGREDIENTS/PER GLASS:

• 5 fresh strawberries, stems removed, plus more for garnish

• 1 tablespoon lime juice, fresh is best!

• 10 mint leaves, plus more for garnish

• 1 tablespoon honey

• Crushed ice cubes

• Strawberry-flavored sparkling water

• One shot of light rum

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Muddle, muddle, and muddle some more. Place strawberries, lime juice, mint leaves, and honey in a cocktail glass. Muddle all together to release flavors. More muddling = more flavor.

2. Add a shot of rum.

3. Top fruit and rum mixture with crushed ice, allowing space in glass for sparkling water.

4. Top ice with strawberry-flavored sparkling water.

5. Garnish with a strawberry, lime slice, and mint sprig if you wish to be a fancypants. Say a cheers to your LAKElife team, then enjoy!

Hungry Yet?

Wakeboards

Wakeboards

Water Skis

Water Skis

Inflatables

Inflatables

Floating Mats

Floating Mats

Paddle Boards

Paddle Boards

Kayaks

Kayaks

Life Jackets

Life Jackets

Food Finder

There’s no shortage of excellent food in Kosciusko County and surrounding counties. We’ll do our best to keep the list updated… if you see need for an addition or change, please contact us at sue@lakelifemagazine.com.

GOSHEN

Miso Japan 203 W. Pike St. 574.533.6476 misojapangoshen.com

South Side Soda Shop 1122 S. Main St. 574.534.3790 southsidesodashop.com

Venturi 123 E. Lincoln Ave. 574.485.2985 eatventuri.com

LEESBURG

Keg Tavern Bar 111 W. Van Buren St. 574.453.9712

MENTONE Outlaw Barbeque Smokers 5158N N 825 E 574.598.6000

MILFORD 20th Century Restaurant 19964 US-6 574.831.4913 20th-century.edan.io

Harvest Coffee & Market 207 North Higbee St. (SR 15) 574.658.3066 harvestcoffee.org

NAPPANEE

Don Carlos Bar & Grill 108 W. Market St. 574.221.2013

Dutch Village 700 N. Tomahawk Tr. 574.773.2828

Hunters Hideaway 153 S. Main St. 574.773.7121 huntershideawaynappanee.com

Main Street Roasters 105 N. Main St. 574.773.5333 mainstreetroasters.com

Nang’s Chinese Restaurant 1058 W Market St. 574.773.2856

NORTH WEBSTER

River Coffee House

127 S. Main St. 574.834.1488

Sheila’s Sweet Treats & Diner 511 S. Main St. 574.834.7550

PIERCETON

Blue Lion Coffee Roasting Co.

112 N. 1st St. 574.594.9800

Bluelioncoffeeroaster.com

The Post 134 N. 1st St. #6 574.594.3010

SILVER LAKE

Silver Lake BK Rootbeer 606 N. Jefferson St. 260.352.0660

SYRACUSE

Chubbies Pub and Grub

Voted best restaurant by SyracuseWawasee Chamber in 2016. Burgers, prime rib, pizza, wings, fries— and best yet, they have Tenderloin Tuesdays. Multiple beers on-tap daily + watch sports on the TVs. 1201 S. Huntington St. 574.457.3855

Joe’s Ice Cream Supreme

With more than 40 flavors of hand-dipped gourmet ice cream, can it get any better? We thinketh not! Where waffle cones are handmade every day, Joe’s serves up friendly faces, along with their fabulous ice cream, shakes, malts, and sundaes. Yes, please.

1201 S. Huntington St. 574.457.8763

Man Cave Brewing Company

Local brewery with full bar and restaurant. Menu features salads, sandwiches, and entrees. A local favorite for pub burgers, steaks, and craft beer. Sign. Us. Up. 10201 N. SR 13 574.337.1308 mancavebrewing.com

Down Under 801 N. Huntington St. #12 574.457.3920

Los Toritos 717 S. Huntington St. 574.457.7450

The Channel Marker 5793 E. Pickwick Dr. 574.457.5900

channelmarker.net

The Frog Tavern 1116 S. Harkless Dr. 574.457.4324

sslillypad.com

Westmain Kitchen 201 W. Main St. 574.457.2828

WARSAW

26th Street Mexican Grill

2279 N. Detroit St. 574.306.2938

facebook: 26thStreetMexGrill

Alibi Bar and Grill 1360 W. Center St. 574.269.5355

facebook: alibi-bargrill

Anthology Whiskey Room 105 E. Center St. anthologywhiskey.com

Asian Cajun, Warsaw Donuts 658 S Buffalo St. 574.267.4311

www.facebook.com/Asian-CajunWarsaw-Donuts-InternationalMarket

Ben’s Soft Pretzels 2501 Walton Blvd. 574.267.1888 benspretzels.com

Biryani Kitchen 114 S. Buffalo St. 574.376.4349

biryanikitchen.us

Bomy’s 1403 E. Winona Ave. 260.248.2161

Botanas Locas 803 E. Winona Ave. 574.267.6240

facebook: botanas-locas

Cardoso Cafe

803 S. Buffalo St. 574.268.0200

facebook: cardosocafe

Chinatown Express 412 N. Detroit St. 574.269.9700

chinatownexpress.net

Clipper Bar 310 Eastlake Dr. 574.372.3224

Cozy Cottage Restaurant 1821 E. Market St. 574.269.9050

facebook:cozycottagerestaurant

El Arriero Mexican Bar & Grill

819 N. Detroit St. 574.268.9200

facebook: el-arriero-mexican

El Cielo Mexican Grill & Bar 520 E. Winona Ave. 574.306.2230

facebook: cielorest

El Comal 2

1303 N. Detroit St. 574.376.4259

facebook: taqueria-el-comal-2

El Faro Bar & Grill

1700 Rozella Rd. 574.376.4191

el-far-bar-grill.edan.io

Flavor Freeze 2950 Frontage Rd. 574.306.2411

myflavorfreeze.com

Gambie’s Pizza 830 E. Winona Ave. 574.269.1801

facebook: gambies-pizza

Maria’s House of Pancakes 3865 Lake City Hwy. 574.268.0600

mariaswarsaw.com

Yamato’s Steakhouse of Japan 101 Argonne Rd. 574.267.8858

yamatosteakhouse8885.com

WINONA LAKE

Kelainey’s Sweet Dreams 904 Park Ave. 574.267.2860

facebook: kelaineys-ice-cream-andsandwich-shop

Basics On Prolific Parsley

Planting:

Parsley is simple to grow from seed, although it takes longer to germinate than most any other herb (seeds can take up to four weeks to germinate through the soil). That said, parsley is often the last plant still producing each season—even after a snow or two it’s typically still green and ready to eat.

Harvesting:

Parsley can be harvested as needed. Begin by cutting the larger, outer leaves. It’s best to cut the stem with the leaves to encourage continued production. If you need a lot of parsley at once, cut the whole plant just above the soil level; it’ll grow new foliage.

Companions:

Companion planting is the practice of growing different plants together for mutual benefit.

Parsley’s best companions:

• Asparagus, corn, pepper, tomatoes, chives, roses, beans, cabbage, broccoli

Avoid growing parsley with:

• Alliums (garlic, onions, shallots), lettuce, mint, carrots

We offer a wide range of flooring services & custom designs!

photos: shutterstock.com

6422 W. Noe St., Kimmell, IN • 260.635.1155

SHOWERS • TILE • CARPET • HARDWOOD • LVP & MORE!

“I am convinced that the greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories.”

— Og Mandino, best selling American author

photo by Arielle Elise Photography

Meet Artist Terry Armstrong

by Ray Balogh

Warsaw painter Terry Armstrong surprises himself every time he creates a piece of his watercolor artwork.

More accurately, the watercolor itself surprises him

“Watercolor does its own thing,” he said. “You wet a big piece of paper and the watercolor is going where it wants to go. You just never know what is going to happen, and that is the real excitement with watercolor. Usually mistakes are happy mistakes and sometimes you end up with a painting better than the photo.”

Based upon his upbringing and the predilections of his heart and soul, Armstrong focuses his artwork on two subjects: farm life in Indiana, and aquatic scenes—particularly of Chapman Lake and the Tippy River, which “mean a lot to me,” he said.

“My paintings are more about fishing than boating and about 80 percent are of rivers,” he said. He also incorporates sunsets and “a lot of blue herons.”

Armstrong distinguishes the purpose between the two subject matters. “The farm scenes are more about memories and nostalgia,” he said. “The paintings of the lakes and rivers are more about what is happening at the moment. A lot of excitement of the lakes is capturing the lighting.”

The Indiana-born artist grew up in Columbia City and regularly visited

his grandparents’ farm. He was primarily inspired to take up painting by his great-uncle, who owned a gallery with 40 employees in Chicago, and his mother, an art teacher. His style was greatly influenced by realist painter Andrew Wyeth.

| images provided by Terry Armstrong

“I first got interested at the age of 5 and my paintings were kind of all over the board,” he said.

Having seen his great-uncle’s success, Armstrong determined in “about seventh or eighth grade” he could potentially sustain a career in painting. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in fine art and commercial art from Indiana/Purdue University in Fort Wayne and served as an assistant professor in watercolor at a local college.

After a 25-year career in marketing communications at Biomet, he retired to focus on painting full time and conducting workshops.

Armstrong plies his labor of love from his studio in an historic 1870s brick home located on 12 acres near Warsaw. The property’s address is 2277 E. 8 Square Road; the road is named after an old eight-sided schoolhouse that has since been torn down. He curates a collection of about 120 of his paintings at the Terry Armstrong Watercolor Studio/Gallery and welcomes anyone to visit, browse the ever-changing inventory and purchase any painting offered for sale.

“I have a two-prong motivation in my artwork. First, I have to be excited about what I am painting,” he said. “Second, I want to make the viewer happy—and hopefully purchase the piece. I’m always pushing, trying new things. The excitement of the viewer is very satisfying to me.” Armstrong also does commissioned artwork as part of his business.

His works have received numerous People’s Choice and Best of Show awards and have been exhibited in galleries around the United States. He attends two or three art shows each year, one of which is in Winona Lake. He exhibited at the Oakwood Arts Festival three or four times several years ago.

His favorite painting? “I don’t know if I can tell you that,” he said. “I wouldn’t know what I would pick.”

For more information or to commission an art piece, call Armstrong at 574.267.2209 or visit terryarmstrong.net.

Stargazing 101

FOR QUALITY FAMILY TIME

by Mike Petrucelli

Anyone familiar with lakes country knows there’s plenty to do in our neck of the woods. Swimming, sailing, shopping, eating, drinking, all kinds of things. But what if I said there might be one more thing you may not be considering. Something that’s been right in front of you this whole time. It never closes (mostly), and costs as little (as in nothing) or as much as you decide. There’s no age limit. No tickets. All you have to do is walk outside tonight, or any night. And then, look up.

That’s right. The sky, and everything in it. It’s, of course, been there the whole time. It doesn’t take much to have a nice family night (or a full-blown party) out under the stars.

“That’s the beauty of the hobby,” said Kurt Eberhardt, president of the Warsaw Astronomical Society (WAS). “You can start out with basic enjoyment of the sky,” he said, or invest as much in it as you like. “The question is how far do you want to go?”

Where To Start

But before we can answer that, we need to know where to start. The cheapest and easiest thing to do is simply step outside on a clear, dark night and look up. But where to look? What to look at? How do you know what you’re seeing?

Eberhardt said a good place to start is talking with people in groups like the WAS. They know the skies, they’ve bought and tested the equipment, they’ve had the successes, and made the mistakes. And best of all, they’re happy to share the hobby with others.

Astronomy groups like WAS hold events regularly and often welcome the curious public. WAS posts these events on its Facebook page. Be on the lookout for gatherings at Potawatomi Wildlife Park just over the Kosciusko-Marshall County line in Tippecanoe. The park is recognized as Indiana’s first ‘Dark Sky’ preserve and offers excellent views of the night sky with minimal light pollution.

But closer to home, some darker areas can also be found. Eberhardt observed Comet NEOWISE in 2020 from the public boat launch at Chapman Lake. And the WAS observatory is located at James Lake at Camp Crosley.

Eberhardt recommends getting a planisphere, which is a paper star chart that shows the entire night sky. Simply orient and adjust the chart directionally to discern what you’re looking at. And planispheres don’t need batteries.

If you prefer to use something with batteries, there are websites to assist in looking up stars, planets, satellites, comets, you name it. And smartphone apps exist that can be helpful as well, although Eberhardt cautions that apps often don’t have a night vision setting so using them can make it harder to see.

shutterstock.com

Orienting yourself on the familiar constellations of the Zodiac is a good start, because, as Eberhardt said, “that’s where you’ll find the planets.”

Learning about and recognizing meteor showers are also great ways to begin grasping the excitement and beauty of astronomy.

Which meteor showers should make us keep an eye to the sky? The Perseids—so named as this meteor shower appears to lie within the constellation Perseus—will appear this year from mid-July to late August, with a peak around August 13. The Perseids usually doesn’t disappoint, according to Eberhardt. The Geminids are also a popular meteor shower to watch, and will be active from early- to mid-December, with a peak around December 14.

And always be on the lookout during times of high solar activity, which can result in the aurora borealis, or northern lights, being visible here in lakes country.

How To See More

When you’re ready for some stargazing, once stepping outside allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. It takes about 30 minutes for eyes to fully dilate, making naked-eye observation easier. Astronomers often use flashlights with a setting for red light, or red filters over lights, since red light doesn’t cause human pupils to constrict, thus preserving night vision. And while your lights might be off, if your neighbors’ outdoor lights are on, that won’t help—so consider asking them to join you (and turn off their lights). A clear sky (not cloudy) and not having a full moon helps, too.

If you want to see more, Eberhardt recommends starting with binoculars, with a basic power of 7x50. They aren’t as expensive as telescopes and can be useful in many ways.

Telescopes are the next step up, both technically and financially. For that, it’s probably best to discuss with someone who owns one and has experience with it first. But Eberhardt said to avoid the classic department store sale telescope which tends to be relatively inexpensive for a telescope, but also tends to not be suited for nonterrestrial observation.

Looking up at the night sky is something that humans have been doing with a sense of joy and wonder for thousands and thousands of years—and it is still one of the easiest ways to enjoyably pass the time.

In this case, the sky really is the limit.

Seeing Stars

Some tips + tricks to getting the right equipment for gazers who wish to see beyond naked-eye observation:

• Not just any pair of binoculars will do. Some types that may be ideal for birdwatching or sports may be too heavy or won't let in enough light for nighttime stargazing. Eberhardt recommends starting with binoculars that have an “exit pupil” of at least 7 millimeters, which will allow enough light to reach your eye. A good place to start is with binoculars that are labeled 7x50, or 7 magnification with an objective of 50 millimeters. Do the math and you get an exit pupil slightly larger than 7 millimeters, which should get you started without breaking the bank.

• Increasing power can help you see more, but with increased power the equipment also gets heavier, making it harder to hold still (even your heartbeat can affect how well you hold binoculars or a telescope) and narrows your field of vision, making it harder to track objects that, like Earth, are moving. Higher power also magnifies particles in the atmosphere, like smoke. This is where a tripod comes in handy if you think you'll be spending more time beneath the stars.

• Telescopes cost more but can help you see more. Just avoid the “department store sale” models that may not be suited for looking at the night sky.

Some websites and apps that can guide your way around the sky include:

• heavens-above.com—good for satellites, comets, asteroids, and moon phases (be sure to set your latitude + longitude)

• spaceweather.com—current events and aurora alerts

• skyandtelescope.com—astronomy-related news, astronomical events, and observing suggestions

• apps for smartphones that are worth checking out include: SkyView (free and paid versions), SkySafari, and for computers, Stellarium (free download).

Time For A Tune-Up

Men’s Health Awareness

Men, what we need to be screened for:

From 20-45: Dentist every 6 months; Hearing screening once every 10 years; Eye exam every 2 years after 40; PCP every 2-3 years for physical exam, and age-appropriate screenings.

Ways to improve our health:

• Keep BMI <30

• Seek out more friends to confide in; quality friendship reduces stress

by Jerry Parsons, PA-C

What we need to be aware of:

According to the CDC, the leading causes of death for males:

• From ages 20-45: injuries

• From ages 45-85: cancer, followed by heart disease

Why we should have a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

Consider him/her your go-to health ‘mechanic’:

• Maintain a relationship with a provider in case of acute illness or medical questions

• They’ll keep our vaccines up to date

• They’ll ensure we have the proper screenings for diseases and future medical problems

From 45-65: Dentist every 6 months, Hearing screening every 3 years, Eye exam every 2 years, PCP yearly for physical exams and age-appropriate screenings.

Note: Be aware of your blood pressure!

Check blood pressure at least once yearly. Over two weeks, obtain a random check of 4-6 readings (different times of day and not consecutive days, including work and non-workdays) at a non-medical facility such as a pharmacy. If the average of the upper number (systolic) is >120 and/or the lower number (diastolic) is >80, follow up with your primary care provider.

And remember, men, it’s never too late for a tune-up (our families will thank us).

• Find friends + activities that will make you laugh; if you don’t have a sense of humor, find one (that’s a joke)—laughter is a good source of medicine

• Find a hobby—hobbies teach us valuable skills: they expand creativity, keep our minds sharp, bring joy, increase an eye for detail, and help us meet friends

• Avoid becoming a workaholic—working without breaks for relaxation and joy can increase stress, weight, and blood pressure.

• Exercise—a simple daily 30-minute walk (at a pace ideal for walking a dog) is one of the best things we can do for our health. Daily walking can keep our glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels low, it reduces anxiety and depression, and lowers the risk of dementia.

• Work on improving our diets. Many studies suggest a diet that includes olive oil, low-lectin foods, low gluten foods, grass-fed meats, dairy, and eggs, fresh fruits and vegetables that are rich in polyphenols, mushrooms, foods rich in both pre- and probiotics, foods high in medium chain triglycerides, red wine, dark spirits, tea, and coffee are all beneficial to our health.

Ask A Med

Do YOU have a MEDICAL QUESTION for JERRY? Great! Send inquiries to sue@lakelifemagazine.com and PA Jerry will gladly assist.

Men, in June it’s time for us to focus on some personal maintenance. Yes, June is Men’s Health Awareness Month.

Lutheran Health Physicians, Walk-in Clinic, Syracuse

And just as we take our cars in for routine maintenance, our bodies also need to be checked for optimal function.

June GratitudeList

Expressed gratitude is such a thing of beauty, isn’t it?

You bet it is.

Listed below are names submitted by the LAKElife community. See your name on the list?

It means someone APPRECIATES YOU.

Maymie Ankrom

Darlene Eichelberger

Drew Flamm

Sherman Goldenberg

Doug Hanes

Aidan Hughes

Kim Jones

Bruce Langton

Robbi LaSalle

Lorena Oplinger

Alyssa Rosenberg

Randy Wilkerson

PLANNING THE PERFECTGraduation Party

Step 2: Establish the theme

Spending just a few minutes on social media can yield all kinds of creative ideas for your event. Whether you go for tropical, sparkle, sports, or school spirit, you’re sure to find all kinds of fun decorating ideas.

Step 3: Plan the menu

by Mary Jane Bogle

Step 1:

Determine the venue

Backyard graduation parties can be fun to host—especially if you throw it at the lake! Many rental companies offer tables, chairs, linens and more— but rent early and arrange for pickup in plenty of time to set up, with as little stress as possible! But sometimes, your house just isn’t ideal for a large gathering. If this is the case, booking a venue early (up to a year in advance) makes hosting a snap! Either way, look for space to seat at least a third of your invite list at one time, and consider options for indoor/ outdoor seating, including tent and table rentals.

Does your grad love tacos, barbecue, or pasta? Will you cater the event or prep and serve the meal yourself? (Tip: Nelson’s offers everything from full-service catering to delivery or pickup.) Remember to plan for guests with special dietary restrictions, and consider including some fun ‘food stations,’ such as a cookie, candy, or s’mores bar in addition to, or in place of, cake or cupcakes.

Step 4: Finalize the guest list

You can typically expect anywhere from 50-70 percent of your guest list showing up, so keep that number in mind as you plan.

A high school graduation is a huge milestone for teens, a moment worth celebrating. And with a little careful planning, you can make the day memorable for everyone.

Step 5: Create the invitations

Custom invitations are easier than ever, thanks to websites such as Shutterfly or even your local pharmacy or big box store. With hundreds of pre-designed cards to choose from, you’re sure to find something that suits your grad… and your budget! Mail invites up to one month in advance, and consider sending an earlier ‘save-the-date’ email for out-of-town guests.

Step 6: Purchase party supplies

Decorations can be as simple or extravagant as your budget allows. Consider creating some activity stations, too, such as a photo booth, karaoke, or outdoor yard or table games. And remember to include tons of photos of your grad!

Step 7: Buy food + drinks

Up to two days in advance is a good time to purchase your food items, such as fruit and veggies, along with your drinks. Make sure you have a way to keep drinks cold, and consider enlisting a friend to help keep your beverage counter stocked throughout the event.

Step 8: Set up

The morning of your party is a great time to set up tables and decorations, although you can do this earlier if hosting at home.

Step 9:

Greet your guests

Get ready to enjoy spending time with all the people who want to celebrate your graduate—or take a trip with you down memory lane!

Step 10:

Enlist a clean-up crew

Many hands make light work, and that’s especially true for graduation parties! Close friends and family should be more than happy to help you clean up after your big day. You can always reward them with a relaxing sunset cruise after everyone else goes home.

Come Home to Quality

For nearly 40 years, the T.L. Jackson family has been making dreams a reality on time and within budget. Whether building or renovating, we listen carefully to your needs, design the perfect solution and deliver a quality built home you’ll love for many years to come.

Indiana’s four FREE FISHING DAYS are May 7, June 3-4 and September 23. On Free Fishing Days, Indiana residents don’t need a fishing license or a trout stamp to fish in public waters (17 and under are always free). Many properties host fishing derbies, training events and more to help give newbies a chance to fish. This year, take a friend or family member fishing. dnr.IN.gov/fishfree.

“Thanks, Dad!”

by Mary Jane Bogle

Father’s Day is right around the corner (June 18), and now is the perfect time to plan the perfect day—or weekend—for that special man. Here are just a few creative ways to thank Dad for all the ways he invests in your family:

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Take Dad out to a TinCaps ballgame, complete with hot dogs, nachos, and his favorite beverage. (Go on the Saturday before Father’s Day if you want to catch the fireworks!)

If your guy’s a car enthusiast, consider driving south to the Central Indiana Vintage Vehicles’ Father’s Day Car Show in Noblesville. Explore any of the amazing trails and nature preserves in the lakes district. Hiking, biking, and nature watching are always better near the lakes. Plan your nature day at visitkosciuskocounty.org/ play/recreation/trails/.

Prepare a picnic for your backyard, a local park, or on a pontoon cruise around the lake.

Grab your binoculars for some family bird watching. Enhance the experience with the Cornell Lab Merlin app, which identifies bird species based on their songs and can even mimic the bird calls to draw birds near.

Take Dad down memory lane for some arcade games. (Who doesn’t love Ms. PAC-MAN?) You can find all that and more, including Virtual Reality experiences, at Ultrazone Family Entertainment in Fort Wayne.

Go camping. You won’t want to miss the Father/Kid Fishing Contest or Dads vs. Kids Kickball Fun at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park in Pierceton.

Give Dad a day off to enjoy golfing—or disc golfing—at one of the amazing courses in the region. Check out options at visitkosciuskocounty. org/blog/the-best-golf-and-disc-golf-courses-in-kosciusko-county/.

Treat Dad to a meal at his favorite restaurant. Make it a multigenerational moment with all the dads, grandpas, uncles, and cousins for even more family fun!

Beer Can Chicken

INGREDIENTS:

3 ½ pound whole chicken

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 can beer

2 tablespoons McCormick’s® Montreal Chicken spice rub (or your favorite rub)

DIRECTIONS:

1. On a gas grill, preheat with all burners set at medium. When heated, turn off burners on one side of the grill.

2. Empty chicken cavity + rinse with cold water. Pat dry with paper towel.

3. Rub entire chicken with olive oil.

4. Rub one tablespoon of seasoning inside the chicken’s cavity. Rub remainder over the surface of the chicken.

5. Empty 2 to 4 ounces of beer from its can (bottom’s up!).

6. Hold the chicken upright (legs pointing down) and insert opened beer can into the cavity. Stand chicken in upright position on unlit side of grill. Position legs to best support chicken (similar to a tripod). Close grill lid.

7. Grill chicken 1 ½ hours, or until cooked through (internal temperature of 165 degrees in the thigh).

8. Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes after removing from grill. Remove can from chicken before serving.

Best Gifts

by Mary Jane Bogle

Looking for unique gifts for tbose you’re celebrating this month? Check out some gift ideas for the latest in unique gear, toys, and gadgets:

MLB™ Uniform Money Clip Wallet

These dandies are made from actual game-used MLB™ uniforms. They’re a fan’s best way to stash cash. $170-195. Uncommongoods.com

Grilling Sauces

Gift Dad or your grilling grad the unique taste of Captain Rodney’s grilling and dipping sauces. Find these and a huge array of unique gifts at Absolutely Apparel in Syracuse. Absolutelyapparel.com

Water Pong, Anyone?

Grab Dad this Land Shark Pong Raft (or other water toys) from Bart’s Watersports in North Webster. Barts.com

for Dads + Grads

Bluetooth Speaker + Water Bottle

Talk about multi-tasking gadgets! Great for grads and dads… listen to tunes while refreshing with a bev’ this summer with this speaker-plus-reusable bottle. $40. Uncommongoods.com

Mindfulness Dice

Top This

How ‘bout some sun protection for Dad’s noggin’? An array of Coolibar® shapeable wide-brim hats are on display at Pro Wake Watersports. Prowakewatersports.com

An ideal gift for your grad… a dice set to help your student find peace of mind and body while away at college. This set of wellness dice provides thousands of possible combinations for positive mantras, controlled breathing, and therapeutic self-care goals to take on any day. $18.95. Uncommongoods.com

Lake-Themed Doormat

Order Dad a custom doormat or T-shirt from thisisjacobsrugs.com. Orders can take up to three weeks to ship, so plan accordingly.

Surfin’ Splurge

Surf’s-up for your grad or dad, so check out the huge assortment of surfboards awaiting at Pro Wake Watersports. Prowakewatersports.com

Authentic Stadium Seat Cufflinks

Add a little stadium finesse to your style with cuff links made of salvaged seats from famous baseball stadiums. $190-235. Uncommongoods.com

Cooler Than Other Dads

Dads and Grads alike will appreciate a Lerpin® cooler to keep ‘em cold. These and more await at Dockside Apparel & Gifts/DK Promotions in Syracuse. Dk-promotions.com

photos by Mary Hursh + Sue Pais

3 treatments on the face AND neck of the traditional microneedling. This treatment works by creating a series of hundreds of microscopic channels into the dermis to stimulate the skin’s natural production of new collagen and elastin, helping skin to look and feel healthier.

3 treatments on the face of our mid-level radio frequency microneedling treatment that is a combination of microneedling treatment, radiofrequency (RF), and LED light therapy.

We asked for ‘Moments With Dad’ pics for this June issue… and as always, LAKElife readers answered!

Congratulations to all our June participants—you’re all winners in our book! Like, literally. You’re all winners (see what we did there?):

When your dad’s a military hero, the rest of the world learns he’s a hero, too. Submitted by Leslie Worthy.

Russell Brown teaches his sons, Easten and Theo, how to surf. Here he is with one of his boys on Chapman Lake.

Jumping off the dock isn’t just for the kids… Grandpa joined in the fun, too, on Dewart Lake. Pictured are: Morgan, Quinn, Grandpa Phil, Rachel, and Tyson. Submitted by Jaime Holt.

Because Matt Murphy

Gavin and Graeme. Submitted by Anitra Murphy, North Webster.

Best pals Cody and Pearl make many weekend rounds on Syracuse Lake. Submitted by Norine Troeger.

Matt Dellen + his baby girl Olivia, with her baby girl, all on a peaceful boat ride. Submitted by Casey Dellen.

by Courtney Hladish

Saaya Rose

In June, roses are in full bloom and look as brilliantly beautiful as ever. And their scent is not only fresh, sweet, and delightful, but it’s also good for you!

A rose’s scent reduces stress, helps us feel relaxed, and can lower our heart rates. The pleasant scent of a rose has many positive effects on our emotions, providing benefits to our cognitive health. Scientists have found this scent gives our brains a boost and even improves memory retention.

So when we see roses in brilliant bloom, let’s stop for just a moment. Notice their beauty. Sniff their scent—and smile. Some rose-infused products I use that you might enjoy, too:

pamella roland® Perfume

It’s a modern fragrance blending citrus with luxurious florals… its scent reminds me of roses. Made by fashion icon Pamella Roland. pamellaroland.com. $165

These are great for décor in the home or as gifts. Real roses in dainty boxes look beautiful and hold their dainty scent for more than a year (and no need to water)! I’ve purchased these for my mom in the past… so I know they’re a fabulous product. Check them out at saayarose.com. prices vary.

As they say, we should all take a break from our busy days to stop and ‘smell the roses.’ Yes, a common phrase and important reminder to take a step back from life’s stresses to find peace, even if for a moment.

Tula Cooling and Brightening Eye Balm

This hyaluronic acid is enhanced with rosewater and rosehip oils to reduce the look of wrinkles and fine lines, while it also cools the skin. This is one of my personal faves—I use this product daily! tula.com. $32

Charcoal-Rose Lotion

Infused with Vitamin-E, this body product made by Archipelago Botanicals is a hydrating lotion with a fresh scent of pressed roses. The lotion’s charcoal powder detoxifies the skin while rose extracts hydrate. It’s great for nourishing the skin! Find this on amazon.com. $34

40+

40+

Some of the main fabrics available to build your projects:

• Sunbrella – 10 Year Warranty

• Harbor time – 5 Year Warranty

• Aqualon – 5 Year Warranty

• 18oz. Vinyl

• Clear Vinyl

• Boat Lifts

• Grills

• Patio

Game On, Summer Fun

Let summer’s splashin-carefree-life-loving lake days begin! For full game-on mode, why not add a little extra game, décor + feel-good-yum to your day? Check out these great local finds to jump into your best lake season yet. And it’s all right here, in Kosciusko County.

Not To Toot Our Own Horn because yes, yes we do.

Absolutely Apparel & Gifts 509 S. Huntington St., Syracuse 574.457.8887

absolutelyapparel.com

Harvest Coffee & Market 207 North Higbee St., (SR 15), Milford 574.658.3066

Harvestcoffee.org

You’re Hot ‘N’ You’re Cold and you’ll say yes (not no) to this deeee-lish frozen hot chocolate. Katy Perry would approve.

with this magnetic game board.

It’s A Little Bit Fishy …but looks so right in your lake house.

Clayton Garden Center 7185 IN-13, North Webster 574.834.2249

Claytongardencenter.com

Light Er Up with fun, unique lighting like this red leaf light at Clayton’s.

The Mucky Duck

901 E. Canal St., Winona Lake 574.306.2906

Facebook: @themuckyduckinthevillage

Top It Off to prevent sunburn to the scalp… and look extra stylish at the same time. Win. Win.

Nauti Waters

Lake Wawasee, Syracuse 317.873.0405

Nautiwaters.com

Party On

Weaver Furniture Barn

6146 W 1350 N, Nappanee 574.773.4826

Weaverfurniturebarn.com

Curl Up and get cozy after a day on the water in this gorgeous chair. After you dry off that is…

My Red Moon

800 S. Huntington St., Syracuse 106 S. Main St., Nappanee 306 N. 1st St., Pierceton

Fire It Up with this POLYWOOD fire pit table at the Syracuse location. Yes, we lake peeps love us some POLYWOOD products.

this floating tiki bar with up to 14 of your fun friends. Ex-squeeze me, what’s not to love? Cruise upon the Nauti Mule or Tipsy Turtle on Lake Wawasee. Bring your own bevs and party with your pals while the captain does the driving. Online reservations only.

Bart’s Watersports

7581 E. 800 N., North Webster 574.834.7666

Barts.com

Because He’s Protected Yours why not gift him a new life jacket?

Fire+Ice Keeping It Hot And Cold This Summer

As lake activities kick into high gear, the outdoors becomes the living area. Much of that activity involves indulging in food + cold drinks, and there are a myriad of choices available to fire things up— and ice ‘em down.

story + photos by Loren Shaum

FIRE IT UP

Built-in Grills

Many outdoor kitchens now incorporate built-in appliances. For grills, the options are endless, but prices are typically higher than stand-alone versions.

Choose from smokers, charcoal grills, propane and natural gas grills, pellet, or the newest trend, woodfired grills.

On the high-end ($6,000) is a wood or charcoal-fired beast that has over a thousand square inches of cooking surface. Manufactured by Tagwood in Argentina, it’s an extreme grill that can burn any steak. The Argentinians especially like this style for their famous barbeques. You can also get one half the size for about half the price.

Logically, folks tend for 32- to 48-inch grills, and there are as many flavors out there as there are candy flavors. A great website to investigate is bbqguys.com. Their pick for the 2023 top-rated built-in is the Blaze Professional LUX, 34-inch. This puppy isn’t cheap as it comes with a rear infrared (IR) burner.

Personally, I’ve not had good luck with IR burners, so, in my latest investigation, I chose a natural gas-fired, American Outdoor Grill (AOG). It heats to 550 degrees and braises, roasts, and sears (think steak, duck breast, lamb chops, etc.) equally well. To get a smoke hint, I use a smoke box stuffed with wet mesquite wood.

If you want a charcoal built-in, BBQ Guys rate the Blaze, 32-inch, BLZ-4-CHAR.

Locally, Josh Welker of Stone Ridge Landscaping (Goshen) said the Napoleon natural gas grills are their preference for outdoor kitchens.

Stand-alone Grills: These are the most common outdoor cookery—especially if you want portability. Again, there are too many possibilities.

So, here’s what experts have to say for gas grills

BBQ Guys: Blaze Premium LTE

Good Housekeeping: Weber Genesis II, EX-335

Selections for Charcoal Grills:

Griddles:

The latest trend is the griddle, and nearly every grill maker is jumping into the fray. Locally, Blackstone griddles seem to be the most popular. They come in various sizes, but the largest is the DSC 48inch side griddle.

Lastly, if you’re a techy, consider Traeger pellet grills. Several models have WiFi connections.

Then there is also the Ninja Woodfire BBQ that can grill, smoke, or air-fry.

ICE MACHINES ARE COOL THINGS

There’s never enough ice in the summer, and constant ice-runs means lost beverage time. Many ice-makers are in overload just to keep-up with the demand so prevalent in the LAKElife area. Our neighbors can vouch for that, and they have a more efficient indoor unit.

Because of efficiency, most folks go for the ice machine indoor units, and there are a bevy to choose from. Interestingly, there is at least one model out there that makes “bullet ice” — the Free Village brand offers a counter-top bullet-maker. Or, check out the

Free Village Commercial Ice Machine, ideal for homes that need a lot of ice (and it’s ideal for restaurants as well). For less than $400 on Amazon.com, it makes 100 pounds daily of ice output—allowing approximately 400 cups of ice drinks per day. And while to some this may sound excessive, if you consider filling multiple coolers of ice prior to a day on the boat, it might be just the ticket to enhance your lake days.

Buyers Guide rates Kismile the best. It can make 80-pounds of ice when full-on.

Speaking from experience, when you ice-down your next beverage, make sure you close the ice maker's lid. Otherwise, the compressor won’t last long!

All options are on the table this summer for grilling and drinking, so choose your weapon!

BBQ Guys: Everdure by Heston-Blumenthal, HUB1

Good Housekeeping: Weber Original Kettle, 22-inch Charcoal Grill

Food & Wine magazine: The Green Egg, 24-inch, Xlarge Kamado Charcoal Grill and Smoker

7035 S 900 W • Topeka, IN (miles west of Topeka) 260-593-3003

7035 S 900 W • Topeka, IN (3 miles west of Topeka) 260-593-3003

•Annuals: Petunias • Geraniums • Tulips and more!

•Garden Seeds and Starts: Stock up on all your favorite vegetable and fruit options!

• Annuals Petunias • Geraniums • Tulips and more!

•Liquid Fertilizers and insect repellents: Check out our Fertilome Poducts!

•Bagged and bulk mulch and soil: Dark Brown, Black, Fine Black and Red Mulch in bulk!

• Garden Seeds and Starts Stock up on all your favorite vegetable and fruit options!

• Liquid Fertilizers and Insect Repellents Check out our Fertilome Products!

• Bagged and Bulk Mulch and Soil Dark Brown, Black, Fine Black and Red Mulch in bulk!

Located just 3 miles west of downtown Topeka on CR 700 S, watch for our opening in late March (weather permitting).

Magical, Electric + Oh, So Eclectic

by Katie Hartzog, Hartzog Interiors

photos by Art Home Photo

Welcome to this newly designed haven of a space within a special Lake Wawasee home. I take pride in creating unique interiors and this space was certainly no exception!

This particular entertaining space was designed to have an eclectic, vintage feel per my client’s request. We traveled to Furniture Market on several occasions to hand-select the pictured one-of-a-kind pieces—and we were able to fill this space with both charm and nostalgia.

• Move over leg lamp—this bird lamp is an absolute conversation piece.

This room, separate from the main lake home + attached to a separate garage, offers a club-like feel where the owners can kick up their feet to unwind, play a game or two, serve up cocktails for friends, or just enjoy some quiet solitude. Versatile, purposeful, and certainly beautiful.

Welcome to this Lake Wawasee home room.

• My client requested we create the perfect overflow area from the main lake house so all could enjoy this space.

• Tic-Tac-Toe board games are a perfect accessory to any game room.

• Both new + antique accessories were used as finishing details in the space.

• The mixed metals on these vintage light fixtures were the perfect selection for our design.

• We installed exposed brick to add texture + interest on the interior walls.

• The space has a magical cigar bar lounge feel.

• This wire mesh animal adds an element of fun to the space.

• The vintage bulb light sconces fit right into the space.

• The vintage bar cabinet was one of my client’s favorite finds!

• We integrated several antique airplanes into the design to add interest at the ceiling, as well as to add layering and depth to the space.

• The bar bathroom features a unique vault safe custom door. What a find this was!

“It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.”

—Sir Bernard Williams, English moral philosopher

Sunset photo submitted by reader James Isca, Sechrist Lake

YES! I want LAKElife! Please send me the next 6 issues of LAKElife for only $39.00.

METHOD OF PAYMENT: or call our office to make a secure credit card payment and order your subscription (800) 733-4111.

CREDIT CARD (Fill out form and mail to address below)

MAIL IN PAYMENT

Enclose this form and check payment of $39.00 to the address below.

METHOD OF PAYMENT:

CREDIT CARD (Fill out form and mail to address below)

Method of Payment (please circle):

or call our office to make a secure credit card payment and order your subscription (800) 733-4111.

MAIL IN PAYMENT

Enclose this form and check payment of $39.00 to the address below.

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE

Visit www.LAKElifemagazine.com. Click on subscribe page.

MAILING