There is no better time than Tiller Time.

One of the loose terms used at the Wawasee Yacht Club to describe getting sailboats on the water, teaching the sport of sailing has never been more fun. As part of the WYCs junior sailing program, Tiller Time is a key step for the over 100 youthful participants looking to gain an edge in the sport.

I learned to race by the seat of my pants, you just have to get experience, said Jeff Herdrich, a longtime Wawasee sailor and current instructor for the junior sailing program. We can sit in the clubhouse and teach them, but it really is about Tiller Time.

The term Tiller Time comes from using the bar which controls the rudder on the back of the boat used in steering. Get them on the water and let them learn by their experiences and their mistakes, Herdrich added. The better they learn, the better they get.

The junior sailing program has become a three-week staple of the clubs July calendar. What once began in 1990 as a modest way for the club, located on Trusdell Ave. on the western shores of Lake Wawasee, to generate a new member base has now become a situation where there is almost too much of a good thing. Usually booked by mid-April and needing consideration into adding a fourth week because of demand, the club has become a popular meeting ground for children of the lake. The camps, which teach basics from boat assembly and knot tying, also focuses on judging wind, navigating boat wakes and tipping over, as well as various stages of racing strategy as the week wages on.

This is not just an exclusive thing for just lakers and Wawasee Yacht Club members, we have kids from all around come in, said Jeff Schmahl, junior sailing program director. It takes a lot to make this work, and we feel like we have that. We have excellent instructors, the right equipment and a great facility. It is just well organized.
Schmahl has overseen the sailing program since 2002, and has steadily seen the numbers increase in all three phases of beginners, intermediates and advanced sailors. Having two children of his own who enjoy sailing, Schmahl has taken into account the need to groom young sailors properly. Part of that measure came this spring, when Schmahl made a push to the WYC members to fund the purchase of 10 Open Bic sailboats to replace the older and boxier Opti Pram boats more commonly used in training. The move, which brought the boats in on time for the first camp session on July 5, was an instant hit with the 20-plus eager skippers.

The Open Bic bridges the gap we had moving from the Optis, Schmahl said, noting the help from grants and donations from the sailing foundation made the acquisition of the 10 boats possible. People in the community recognized the need to help the kids, and of course, the kids are crazy about the new boats. Optis are good for eight year olds, but the Bics are perfect for 11 year olds, which helps us a lot.

So, why has the program taken off, notably in a time where the economy has crushed so many extracurricular forums? Schmahl points to the affordability of the camp, the timing and the networking the kids do on their own. The overall entertainment value, though, expressed by the campers themselves, tells the tale.

My grandpa lives on the lake, and he is a big sailor, said Lilli Cooper, 11, of Granger. I heard about the program three years ago and wanted to do it. I did it and loved it, I wanted to come back again. I really like the new boats, and the classmates make it really fun to be out on the water.

Ive been sailing for six summers, and honestly, sailing is my life, said junior assistant Joe OLeary, 13, of Florida, working his first summer program. It is harder to show them how to do it and be able to describe it right away, but its well worth it. This gives me pride to show my passion and give to others what I love to do.
Continued fellow junior assistant Bradey Wright, 15 of Fort Wayne, My dad was a sailor a long time ago, and I didnt think I would really like it. But I tried it and had a blast. Its really nice to help the younger kids. They have a lot of fun and really get into the racing.

Wawasee Yacht Club commodore Stuart Webster, who volunteers on occasion with the junior sailing program, feels the children not only are gaining valuable summertime experiences, but developing a relationship with friends and the lake that surrounds them.

We really stress the teaching of Corinthian Spirit, which transfers values of sailing into other ways of life, Webster said. It helps others in need. This is not just about sailing a boat, its more than that. The kids end up making friends, and it makes it more fun for them to be here.

But everything goes back to Tiller Time. The work Herdrich does with the groups, whether taking to the water for the first time and terrified of tipping, or using the program as a way to develop skills to take into weekend racing with the adults, the junior sailing program has come a long way in teaching children the way of the water.
You see the whites of their eyes the first time the wind comes, Herdrich laughed. You can tell them everything about sailing, but they wont understand it until they get out there and do it. Once they get out there, it clicks. I really think the kids are having fun.

It's summer break and time to head to grandma and grandpa's house on Lake Wawasee. For decades, people have migrated from far and wide to spend the summer months on Indiana's largest natural lake, and for good reason.

Good weather, good boating and good times.

With more than 70 years of existence, the Wawasee Yacht Club has put the lake to good use, taking advantage of the open waters and natural beauty to run its sailboat regattas and pristine setting as an overview for its clubhouse on Trusdell Road on the western shoreline. While there are social settings and functions planned within the members' calendar, the club also has become a destination for kids. The yacht club takes its sailing serious, with a complete schedule of sailing events from May to October. The popularity has continued with a three-week junior sailing program, geared to give kids a chance to get in on the action.

Steadily gaining in numbers the past decade, the junior sailing program has become not only a place for kids to meet new friends on the lake, but to understand and enjoy the sport of sailing. The program runs three weeks in July, with morning sessions for beginners and afternoons reserved for intermediate and advanced sailors. Numbering more than 100 strong, the camps generally book early in the year and fill quickly.

COMMODORE WINNERS FOR 2010 -

Sara Sterley and Sally Springer, two members of the Girls' Night Out Club, hold up the Commodore's Trophy Sunday afternoon. The awards were presented at The Channel Marker.

The GNO's entry featured " Calendar Girls" with 12 of the members dressed according to their representative month.

The weather could not have been better for the 49th Wawasee Flotilla to take a "Blast from the Past" late Saturday afternoon with approximately 20 entries that toured the lake in just around two hours.

"The weather was perfect," stated Holly Tuttle, Flotilla chairwoman, who is already looking forward to 2011, which will celebrate the 50th Flotilla. " I appreciate everyone who came out to participate and watch," she added. Tuttle and other committee members will soon be deciding on the theme for the 50th event, with a hope of having 50 boats to help celebrate the 50th year.

The entry from a group called " The Girls' Night Out," which meets once a month, won the Commodore's Cup with their entry " Calendar Girls."

Twelve members of the group were dressed representing the 12 months of the year: Miss January (Joyce Needler) wearing clocks, Miss February (Merlee Bigler) sporting hearts, Miss March (Charlotte Hamer) wore shamrocks, Miss April (Becky Fox) featuring flowers, Miss May (Jan Kendall) featuring the Indy 500, Miss June (Mary Greene) represented weddings, Miss July (Betsy Ross Roby) celebrating the Fourth, Miss August (Patsy Lees) focusing on time on the beach, Miss September (Sally Springer) highlighting Warrior football, Miss October (Susan Todd) celebrating Halloween, Miss November (Sara Sterley) representing Thanksgiving and Miss December (Barb Coon) promoting Christmas. The group was chauffeured by Bill Coon.

"We were so excited," said Sara Sterley. "We worked at it," added Betsy Ross Roby. " We thought we'd win," stated Sally Springer. The group is said to already be thinking of an entry for next year.

Winning the WPOA award was " Runnin' Shine on Lake Wawasee." The float featured Roscoooo P. Coltrane for Sheriff and Boss Hogg running for Mayor of Wawasee. The float was entered by Mark, Tracy and Jake Sumpter, Bob Phillips and driven by Steve Phillips.

Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation was awarded the DNR trophy protecting the watershed of Lake Wawasee since 1991. The entry was entered by David Brandes.

Winning first place in the business category was none other than Griffith's Wawasee Marina, featuring a 1946 marina, complete with a CocaCola sign from Wawasee Marina and an old Mercury outboard, wooden skis and old gas containers. Placing second was Joe Todd of Todd Realty and Tom Prickett of Prickett Properties took third.
Michael and Emily Kenney won first place in the youth division in their Wagemaker Wolveadve boat, with Dan Mikolajczak and friends in his 1972 Marauder.

Winning first in neighborhoods was the " Popeye" entry featuring the families of Rex and Shirley Shipley, Cromwell, Dave and Peggy Alfano and Don and Brenda Patrick of Brenda's Coffee Table, Ligonier. Popeye was joined by all his friends Bluto, Olive Oyl, Wimpy, and Swee'Pea. Popeye even had his can of spinach on board.
Second place in neighborhoods was the entry of " I Want You" and the " Nauti Belle" by Bob and Sandy McNary complete with Uncle Maccaroni who was clowning around town and dressed as Uncle Sam. Third place went to Robert VonDraczk and his 1963 Amphicar.

Jerry Juergens and Ted Rogers entry of the " Wawasee Minutemen" featuring the Indiana National Guard won first place in the non-profit division.

Winning the antique boat was Mike Boone, Indianapolis, in his 1955 Port while Ed VanKirk, Constantine, Mich., in his Otis, built from old parts over three years, won the classic boat award.

Those motoring around the lake couldn't help but see a large poster and banner from the residents at Highland View Gardens. The residents gathered to honor the 2010 Commodore Howard Brembeck.

Prior to the Flotilla a lamppost decorating contest was held with five businesses participating.

First place went to Sande Wappes and Cathy Boyts who created a gas station from Mayberry in front of Picket Fences, and Miller's Merry Manor decorated a lamppost remembering " M*A*S*H" received second place.

"Loch Wawaseeness Monster," created by Shawna VanLue for "The Mail-Journal," was third place.

Other decorated posts were done by Living Quarters in commemoration of Uncle Sam, and The Law Office of Paul A. Stoelting decorated a lamppost with a theme of "Garden of Wawase-eden."

Turkey Creek Fire Department members are getting acquainted with the 2001 E-One platform ladder truck that arrived Thursday.

The truck, purchased from the Willow Springs, Ill., fire department, is considered "brand new" as that department only used it on seven fires. This truck, when put into service, will replace the existing ladder truck and Engine 21 when it is retired.

This truck is unique because of its black paint scheme. The truck was originally donated by a member of the Willow Springs community, but with a requirement it be painted black. It is also a collectible as 3,000 die cast models, on a 1/64th scale, were made.

Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott stated the six-man cab truck is 44-feet, 7-inches long but with its three ladder sections, it can extend up to 95 feet."It can be used for more than fires," stated Scott.

Because of the distance the ladder can extend, it could be used for ice rescue near shore, it can also be used to rescue individuals from two floors at once. Fire investigators can also look at a scene from overhead.

The bucket can tilt in various directions and can be set on ground or on a roof.

"It pumps 1,500 gallons per minute with three water sources on the bucket." Not only does it have the front nozzle, but a hookup for a 1-inch line on the side and a nozzle underneath the bucket. The truck can carry 300 gallons of water.

The ladder can be controlled from three different locations with an intercom system available allowing firefighters in the bucket to communicate with those at the other two controls without tying up fire channels.
There are also all types of safety features on the truck. Scott stated all tires are lifted off the ground when the side jacks are set and until the truck is level, the bucket cannot lift. Scott pointed out each jack can be leveled independently.

It also carries two 4,500 PSI breathing air tanks to hook up a maximum of three air packs. "There are three hook ups for air packs," Scott stated noting the amount of air available could last two guys up to four hours. These hookups are one at the podium in back and two in the bucket. This would eliminate the need for a firefighter to be on the ladder truck carrying an air pack.

Training on the new truck and its operations will be done over the next several weeks with Scott anticipating it be in service before the end of July.

The 1991 ladder truck will be advertised for sale once all equipment is removed and the new truck in service.