"The great advantage of a hotel is that it's a great refuge from home life." - George Bernard Shaw

Not only did the coming of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to Syracuse put the town on the map, it also made Lake Wawasee a summer resort destination. People needed places to stay and hotels around the lake blossomed.

With the fate of the last remaining lakefront hotel in Kosciusko County, Oakwood Inn, hanging in the balance, it
seems a good time to explore what is known about some of these establishments before they are all forgotten.
"The coming of the B & O in 1873 started Syracuse on its way to being a viable community," explained noted local historian Ron Sharp. Folks could hop on the train at the Syracuse depot and change at Milford Junction to go to Warsaw or Goshen. Services, goods, crops, ice, cement and mail as well as people could now come and go with relative ease.

Sharp cited in his volumes of Syracuse history the B & O offered a round-trip Sunday excursion to Sargent Hotel on Lake Wawasee. Arriving from Chicago and other points in between, passengers got off the train, lunch was eaten at the hotel, swimming in the lake was enjoyed and then everyone went back on the train. The train also brought people from Indianapolis and many other places. For those who wished to have longer stays, the hotel became the answer. Some were the epitome of elegance while others had more rustic charms.

The lake had originally been a men-only fishing-hunting getaway. With the advent of the ease of rail travel, families came to spend considerable amounts of time at the lake in the summer. Most began staying in hotels which provided amenities such as two or three meals per day, swimming beaches and excursion boats not to mention maid and laundry services at the finer establishments. Cottages came later in most cases. No comprehensive study has been done of Lake Wawasee's hotels or on the many other hotels and lodgings on the 100 lakes in Kosciusko County. Most have survived only in legend or on postcards. Others have vanished from memory.

Featured above are pictures of a few of them from Lake Wawasee. These are from the postcard collections of both Kay Young and Garry Ringler. Information was obtained from the historical works of Sharp, Eli Lilly and other
historical records and from interviews with Anna Sudlow. Other spots had information but no photos or vice versa.

By HEATHER HARWOOD
Executive Secretary
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation

Ten lakes in Kosciusko and Whitley counties were randomly selected for testing the first week of September for blue-green algae and the algal toxin Microcystin.

Microcystin is a toxin created by some blue-green algae (also called cyanobacteria). Blue-green algae are found in all of our Indiana lakes, and some have the ability to create a dangerous toxin. Direct contact with algal toxins can cause skin irritation. Drinking untreated water, intentionally or accidentally, may result in gastrointestinal illness and more severe liver and neurological damage.

Lake Wawasee was one of two lakes testing in the high range for algal toxins. Old Lake in Whitley County was the other.

Other results of the 10 lake samples collected in nearshore areas with current or recent algae blooms are:
In Kosciusko County - James Lake (Little Tippy), Lake Tippecanoe, Sawmill and Irish, moderate levels; Secrist and Webster, low levels.

In Whitley County - Loon and Crooked lakes, moderate levels.

While there are no U.S. standards regulating algal cell counts, the World Health Organization designates risk categories for recreational contact with water. The relative probability of acute health effects are:
Low is less than 20,000 cells per milliliter of cyanobacteria and less than 10 parts per billion (or micrograms per liter) of microcystin.

Moderate is 20,000-100,000 cell/ml of cyanobacteria and 10-20 ug/L of microcystin.

High is 100,000 to 10 million cell/mL of cyanobacteria and 20-2,000 ug/L of Microcysti.

A series of additional water tests will be done in October.

Dr. Jim Howell, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, assistant commissioner, public health and preparedness commission, Indiana State Department of Health, said it is always a good idea to take a bath or shower with warm, soapy water after coming in contact with untreated water in ponds and lakes, especially before preparing or consuming food. He also recommends people never drink, cook, or shower with untreated water from lakes, ponds, or streams. Pets and livestock should also not be allowed to swim in or drink untreated water from these sources.

Lyn Crighton, executive director of the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, explained if we discover algal toxins in our lakes, there is not much we can do about it. "Our best defense is to prevent the algal blooms. Algae and weeds are symptoms of water pollution - they are the result of excess fertilizers and runoff. The simple truth is that it is much more cost-effective to protect the many benefits provided by healthy watersheds than it is to restore them once they become impaired. And we all have a hand in the protection of our land and water resources."

What Should I Look For To Avoid Toxic Algae?
The toxic strains of blue-green algae usually have heavy surface growths of pea green colored clumps, scum or streaks, with a disagreeable odor and taste. It can have a thickness similar to motor oil and often looks like thick paint in the water. Algae blooms usually accumulate near the shoreline where pets and children have easy access and the water is shallow and more stagnant. It is important to keep a watchful eye on children and pets so they do not enter the water.

Water with any of the characteristics listed below is symptomatic of a blue-green algae bloom and may contain toxins:
- A neon green, pea green, blue-green or reddish-brown color.
- A bad odor.
- Foam, scum or a thick paint-like appearance on the water surface.
- Green or blue-green streaks on the surface, or accumulations along shorelinesÂ

What Are The Risks? And Symptoms?
Pets and farm animals have died from drinking water containing toxic blue-green algae (or licking their wet hair/fur/paws after they have been in the water). Blue-green algae toxins have been known to persist in water for several weeks after the bloom has disappeared.

If recreating in the lake, take common sense precautions:
During recreation in the water:
- Avoid coming in contact with visible algae while swimming, jet skiing or tubing.
- Avoid swallowing large amounts of contaminated water.
- Recreate in groups.
- Don't let your pet drink or swim in contaminated water.
- If your pet does swim in the river, be sure to properly bathe your pet afterwards.
- Always supervise children playing in or around water, as they are more likely to swallow water.

After recreating in the water:
- Bathe or shower with warm, soapy water after being in water that may be contaminated.
- Don't drink, cook or shower with contaminated water.

For information on blue-green algae, visit Indiana's blue-green algae Web site, algae.in.gov. The Web site is a collaborative effort of Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Indiana Department of Environmental Management, Indiana State Department of Health, and Indiana Board of Animal Health, in cooperation with the Center for Earth and Environmental Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.

One of the most historic pieces of property on Lake Wawasee is starting a new chapter in its history.

Lookout Cottage has been taken down by the fifth and sixth generation of the same family to own the Vawter Park location. It will be replaced with a new home designed by owners Rusch and Nora Mauzy.

Originally named Potawatamie Club, it was built as a fishing lodge in 1880, one of the first homes in the Vawter Park Village. It sat on the lake. Visitors had to hustle down several sets of steps to get inside the cottage.
A legendary fishing trip is said to have happened in the cottage during its first incarnation. Adolphus Busch, the beer baron and J.P. Morgan, financier, hung out there with Col. John T. Vawter and Col. Eli Lilly while visiting Lake Wawasee.

The divorce and remarriage of Vawter Park resident Frank Remy played an interesting part in the story of this house. Remy had retired to Lake Wawasee at age 30 after he and his brother sold their Anderson-based business, which would eventually become Delco-Remy. He built and owned Wawasee Golf Club until he sold it in the 1950s.

He and his wife divorced and she wanted to keep the house. So, Remy built a new home for himself between his old house and the Potawatamie Club. The problem was the older cottage on the water spoiled the view from his new home. So, he paid to have it moved back up the bank, out of the way.

The family who owned it had changed the name to Lookout Cottage. Current owner Rusch Mauzy is the fifth generation of his family to own it. His daughter Lauren is the sixth. She has many memories of visiting her grandmother at the cottage during the summers while she was growing up. "My grandmother would lay out the silverware and try to show me which fork to use for what. I never completely understood it all," she laughed. Her grandmother was Joan Schrader Mauzy and she inherited the cottage from Marie H. Schrader.

Rusch grew up in Syracuse and he and Nora now live in Southwest Ranches, Fla., near Fort Lauderdale. However, they have no plans to relinquish the property. A new home with all the modern conveniences is in the works. And, the couple is planning on moving the new cottage even further back from the water to eliminate steps to get into it.

The tradition continues.

Water, water everywhere and no answer seemed to be in sight.

Officials were " kind of stuck," but because of a series of e-mails, letters and telephone calls, including several involving The Mail-Journal's publisher Ron Baumgartner, the solution to an ongoing problem might be in sight.

The latest round of flooding began with the rains that fell early last week. Somewhere between 6 and 10 inches on Monday. Many homes and businesses were flooded, including the boiler room at Wawasee High School. And, as always, there was major flooding in the area of Cornelius Avenue and Pleasant Grove Avenue near the Wawasee Boat Company.

Larry and Clare Baumgardt have lived on the north shore of Lake Wawasee in Willow Grove for the last 30 years and turn onto Cornelius Road from Pleasant Grove Avenue several times per day.

"Over the last few years, we have observed a disturbing trend towards major flooding near that intersection after a heavy rain," explained Larry Baumgardt. So far this year, the road has flooded to the point of being impassable on three occasions."

The Baumgardts were so concerned about the flooding, they sent a letter to Dennis Pletcher, Kosciusko County Highway superintendent, dated Aug. 20. In it, they detailed accidents witnessed due to the flooding as well as the desire for the county to come up with a solution to the problem."

Since I wrote the letter, I have had a rapid and very constructive response from both Pletcher and County Commissioner Brad Jackson," said Larry Baumgardt. "

It seems Jackson and Pletcher have been very involved in seeking a wise solution to the flooding problem for quite a while. In my phone conversation with Jackson, he felt he had a workable solution that could be implemented in the near future. I also learned that there have been many other members of the community, including the Wawasee Trail Committee, who have been working very hard from different directions to solve the problem."

A portion of the Baumgardts' letter to Pletcher follows:
"We personally observed six cars that were disabled and know that at least two of them had substantial and expensive damage to their engines. During the last flooding this winter, there as a long icy patch on the road caused by cars driving through the flooding, which caused one accident that we observed."

"While we realize that the rain this week was unusual, we do get storms like this several times a year. It has only been in the last few years that the flooding has become so severe. Something has clearly changed."

"At some point, the county must come up with a solution to this flooding. We would request that it be sooner rather than later." According to Pletcher, this portion of roadway has flooded during heavy rainfall for at least 30 years.

There has been some development in the area that has slowed the drainage, but it was not enough of a problem to justify spending the dollars there to drain the area.

"Note that I referred to flooding during heavy rainfall," he said. "We have had two exceptionally wet years back to back that just seem to magnify the problem." Early last week he told a reporter, "We cannot simply fill in the low area in the road because the owner of the boat company believes that we will be adding run-off to his property. We are kind of stuck."The commissioners and the highway have been planning to do something there for two years. "We have not been sitting on our hands, but rather investigating what would be the most effective solution with the least impact to surrounding citizens and their environments," Pletcher said.

The highway department does not have adequate right of way in this area to open up the ditch that used to be there as it is on the railroad's right of way.

"We have had no cooperation from the railroad in this matter," said Pletcher.
At this point in time, the commissioners deem this to be a repair that can wait no longer since it has the potential to have an effect on public safety.

A solution is coming soon. The commissioners and the highway department have decided to install a drain line in the county road right of way, which is the most expensive solution but may be the only option.

"This will mean ongoing maintenance of a drain and catch basins but at least it will be in our right of way and we can maintain it," he said. "Please be patient with us as this project will mean many traffic delays during construction."
And e-mail from Pletcher on Tuesday noted, "Looking at starting this week, weather permitting, and close the road (Cornelius Drive), re-opening for the Labor Day weekend, then closing again for the finish."Kosciusko County Commissioner Brad Jackson is working with Pletcher to stop the flooding on Cornelius Road. It is a fairly simple, straight forward plan that only involves the Kosciusko County road right-of-way.

Basically, the drainage pipe under the road will be repaired or replaced as it proves necessary. It would connect to a drain pipe under the tracks and empty on the north side. Then the road bed will be raised. The pressure between the pipe and the lake will have to be equalized, also. This should not cause additional flooding for Wawasee Boat Company and hopefully will be a good fix to the problem.

"We have been planning to work on Cornelius Road for awhile but the recent, sudden rains made it a priority. Unlike most roadbeds, the county does not have the right-of-way 10 feet on either side of Cornelius. Basically, on the north side, is CSX railroad right-of way, right up to the asphalt. On the south side, of course, is Wawasee. Dennis really deserves credit for this solution," he explained. Work could begin within a couple weeks if all goes as planned.

Area residents have noted that the flooding problems have increased over the last several years. Jackson added, "The people who live in the Willow Grove area really cannot get to their property with the way things are now if there is a heavy rain. Those who are able to access Warner Road can go up to the Elkhart County Line Road, turn left, and hit SR 13, which is a couple of miles out of the way but doable over the short term.

Likewise, coming out Pickwick Road, drivers can head up Eastshore Drive to County Line Road and go east to one of the connecting roads depending on where they need to go. The county is trying to take care of this as quickly as it can."

Letter Writing Campaign Kicked Off By Residents
After this most recent road flooding, Spike Ford, chairman of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee, received several phone calls from people asking if the county was working on the problem. Ford explained word had apparently gotten out that the trail committee was working with the county highway department on the matter, so the trail can proceed down to Warner Road.

Ford said he'd spoken to Pletcher about the problem and "he pretty much threw up his hands." It is believed the problem is the drainage tile under Cornelius Road and the CSX tracks was either clogged or crushed when a second set of railroad tracks were installed a few years ago.

When Larry Baumgardt started a letter writing campaign, requesting some type of action be taken to repair the road. Ford added his name to it. Ford also went exploring on the CSX Web site and found a 'contact us' link. So he sent a request to CSX asking that the drainage issue be addressed.

He also sent an e-mail to Syracuse Police Chief Tony Ciriello and Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott suggesting they start a e-mail campaign to CSX highlighting the safety issues the flooding presents.

Earlier this week, Scott contacted Ford saying he had spoken with a CSX representative and CSX is aware of the problem and has forwarded his concerns to an engineer. "So between everyone working on this, something will be resolved," he said.

Doug Anderson, owner of the Wawasee Boat Co. near where the flooding occurs, said he spoke to the county highway department Friday and Saturday and was satisfied with what he was told.

"The road group is doing what it can to resolve the problem," he said. "From what they've told me, it sounds like they have a very plausible solution."Anderson said he, like everyone else, simply wants the problem resolved.

"It will take some time," he said. "It just won't happen overnight."

Anna Sudlow's life has seen many changes.

She's moved from the beginning of automobiles, the Great Depression, World War II, man on the moon and on through the computer age in her lifetime. She has been blessed with a wonderful family, many friends and having lived in interesting times. She also has done quite a bit of traveling both in the United States and abroad.
She and husband, John, were privileged to visit England and see the Sudlow family pottery there. John had researched the connection to one of the famous potteries of Staffordshire, England, an area noted for its artisans in this field. The company existed from about 1884 until it was bought by Howard Pottery in the 1964. It was located in Burslem.

The founder of the business was Robert Sudlow and the family carried on after his death in 1916. He was a member of the Burslem Town Council and served as its mayor. Sudlow said visiting that area was a real joy.
Sudlow is a remarkable person. Of course, she doesn't think so. Having lived more than nine and one-half decades, she retains curiosity about the world around her and independence coupled with the knowledge she has gained. It's all topped off by a healthy dose of optimism and friendliness. All this makes for a potent combination and a delightful personality.

She was a wife, mother the bookkeeper and office manager for Sudlow's Pier Shop. Her daughter Connie Heckaman became a registered nurse, something Sudlow is most proud of her for doing. Her great-grandchildren see her often bringing her huge enjoyment. Plain and simple, she just gets a big kick out of life and her attitude is contagious.

As someone intimately connected with both the lake and the town, she is an invaluable resource. She even joked noted local historian Ron Sharp now calls her with questions. She has the innate gift of hospitality.
Her home is warm, welcoming and is full of wonderful objects each with a story to tell.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee received good news on several fronts during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

Spike Ford, chairman of the committee, told members the county is closer to a solution regarding the flooding on Cornelius Road and there is a pretty decent chance the railroad will respond. He expects to see work on the drainage problem start soon.

Dan Buchman, committee member, reported he joined fellow committee member Bruce Cavell for a Sea Scouts meeting. Sea Scouts will be doing cleanup work along the trails at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3. Cavell said the Scouts are interested in having a longer-term relationship with the trail committee.

Dave Brandes, a member of the trail committee and Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, said the biggest issue will be removing purple loosestrife. He offered to consult with Heather Harwood about the best way to eradicate the plant.

Buchman reported he plans to speak to area service clubs about removing dead trees and other debris from the trails as a combined service project. He has also been in contact with another Boy Scout troop interested in adopting a part of the trail to maintain.

Ford reported there was progress regarding Parker-Hannifin. The president of the company agreed to deed the southwest corner of the parking lot to the trail committee so a bridge could be installed over McConnell Ditch, connecting the Pickwick and high school sections of trail. There will also be a 15-foot easement to Sycamore Street.

Brandes reported a contract has been signed hiring USI Engineering to do a feasibility study for the SR 13/WACF section of trail. The contract is for $22,000 and will take a few months to complete.
Brandes explained the firm will have to take soil borings among other things. When the study is completed, it will show the best route and how much it will cost.

Ford reported the Pickwick section is essentially done. Committee members mentioned they have seen several people using the trail to walk, jog and bike ride. Ford asked if there were some credits along with extra expenditures for the project. He asked permission to pay Beer and Slabaugh the original bid price. They did a heck of a job for us, he said. The motion was approved.

Cavell passed out applications for a community bike ride taking place Saturday, Sept. 19. Registration begins at 1 p.m. with the ride starting at 2 p.m. Admission fee is a smile.

Don Baird and Ford are partnering together to get the signage installed at the high school thanking the K21 Foundation.

As the last order of business, Ford told the committee a mailer needs to go out. He suggested sending out the brochure on the trail project and requested input on putting an insert in requesting a longer term relationship between the donor and the committee.

Brandes pointed out doing an insertion will be time consuming and expensive as the brochure has to be secured. Ralph Smith, chair of the PR committee, suggested announcing the work starting on SR 13/WACF. Jack Arnott said he may be able to find a way to secure the brochures with a machine rather than doing it by hand.

Anna Sudlow touched on the subject of the deaths of six boaters on Lake Wawasee due to a terrific storm July 21, 1943, at her talk at the Syracuse Public Library’s centennial celebration. She elaborated further when being interviewed.

She and her husband lived where Sudlow Pier Shop is still located. It was then directly across the street from South Shore Inn. South Shore Condominiums now occupy that space.

The storm was legendary at the time because of its suddenness, ferocity and the unfortunate loss of six lives including a soldier home on leave, but has been little discussed or known about in recent years.

South Shore Inn played an important role is the rescue of eight survivors. Sudlow commented, "If we’d only known, we could have helped. It was blowing and raining so hard even though it was only around 6:30 p.m., it was difficult to even see the lake."

Two teenagers, Rita Niesse and Jacqueline Casey, were part of a crowd looking out the big plate glass windows of the inn. A loud crash had drawn them there. The storm was raging. Trees toppled, house parts were flying through the air, piers were falling to the 6 feet high waves churning Lake Wawasee.

According to reports, it was a sudden and spectacular display similar to the finale of a fireworks. While taking this all in, one of the girls, Casey, noticed a sailboat anchored. There were strange things on its side. Realizing it was people, Niesse streaked out of the building followed by Casey. They jumped into the rough water and started swimming.

They made it to the sailboat through heroic effort and started helping people swim across the lake to land and the inn. A man in a boat joined in the rescue effort. When it was realized only eight of the 14 in the original group out boating had been located, 20 boats were launched looking for the other six. It took three days until the last body was found.

Those who died were Sgt. Lloyd Burkholder, age 25, Goshen; Dean Yoder, 21, Elkhart; Lloyd Conklin, 21, Goshen; Dorothy Beckerich, 21, Billie Brinkley, 20 and Virginia Rush, 20.

The survivors, who owed their lives to two spunky young women were Earl Markham, 32, Ray Reim, 27, Eloise Reim, 24, Doris Radkey, 22, Betty Radkey, 20, Betty Yoder, 13 and Robert Yoder, 9 all of Goshen and Barbara Castetter, 13, Rome, N.Y.

An account of the storm of 1943 is available online at www.chr.noaa.gov or google Wawasee storm.

Sudlow is still haunted by the loss of life, 66 years later. "Thank goodness we now have better weather forecasting and the technology so people know that a storm is coming, even if they are out on the lake, and can get in."

Syracuse-Wawasee Trail is on the move. If you haven’t been along Pickwick Road and Eli Lily Road from the Dairy Queen to the Wawasee Golf Club, you are missing something.

Except for a short segment from Warner Road to Pleasant Grove Road, the north trail is almost complete. It is seeing a lot of use by young and old who have welcomed this new addition to our community. In fact, look for an article about our trail in the September issue of Northern Lakes magazine.

Soon we hope to get a bridge over McConnel Ditch next to the recycle center and allow the trail to come from the high school segment down to the village, thereby completing the total segment from the community center to the village along Main Street, and Syr-Web Road in front of the high school.

This has been accomplished without one dollar of government or taxpayers’ money! It was done with donations and volunteers.

Now it’s time to "move on" -south- to the next trail section. We are currently having engineering feasibility studies done to continue south along SR 13 to Waco Drive. This will be an expensive undertaking and we ask you please support this continued effort by sending donations to the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail c/o Syracuse Community Center.

If the people of the west and south sides of Lake Wawasee ever hope to see the trail reach the middle school, now is the time to step up and support this effort with dollars.

The kids in the middle school will be able to safely ride their bikes to school and people will be able to come into Syracuse by walking or riding their bikes. We need your dollars. Your contribution is tax deductible.

The community is excited to see such progress and we know you’ll help continue our efforts.

Thank you!
David Brandes
Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee

Learn more about what the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation is doing, has done and future projects at its annual meeting from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15. This year’s meeting will be held at the WACF Center, 11586 N. SR 13, Syracuse.

The morning event will include a free continental breakfast, educational table demonstrations, an opportunity to walk the WACF property and learn about the Wawasee area watershed.

The public is invited to attend and encouraged to bring neighbors and friends.

The highlights of the meeting will include review of current and past grants and pollution control projects, ecology reports on the status of the watershed, and introduction of new board members.

A special part of the meeting will be the presentation of the 2009 Cattail Award recipients.

This award is given to up to three people who show exceptional commitment to the watershed and the mission of the WACF.

Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, created in 1991, is a public foundation dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of the Wawasee area watershed for present and future generations.

This watershed starts at Little Knapp and Harper lakes in Noble County and flows through 10 lakes by way of Turkey Creek into Lake Wawasee, then through the wetlands of Main Channel and Mud Lake into Syracuse Lake.
The watershed consists of 23,618 acres including Wawasee, Bonar and Papakeechie lakes, as well as 10 lakes in the upper Turkey Creek sub watershed.

There are five major areas within the watershed targeted for protection by acquisition. These wetlands reduce water velocity and absorb polluting nutrients and contribute significantly to the WACF clean water mission.
The conservancy has now acquired 35 wetland properties totaling approximately 670 acres within the five major areas within the watershed targeted for protection by acquisition. This translates to 51,500 feet or 9.75 miles of protected shoreline.

Property acquired was either purchased or gifted to the WACF.

The latest acquisitions, made in 2009, included purchase of approximately 20 acres of highly erodible soils in the Bayshore area on Lake Wawasee and 10.2 acres including the south side of Village Lake and its wetland areas.
Since WACF’s inception, funding for projects to improve water quality has reached more than $1,270,000 in grants and contributions.

It recently received two DNR Lake and River Enhancement grants. The first is for an engineering construction project on a stream feeding Village Lake in Noble County. The approved grant is for a $62,500 construction project with a grant amount of 75 percent ($46,875). Village Lake is the 10th and final lake in the 10-lake chain of pristine lakes prior to flowing into Lake Wawasee. The stream flowing into the north side of Village Lake (near the historic site of the Indian Oven) has been severely eroding along approximately 600-1,000 feet of the drainage area. The banks have washed and been undercut to 8 feet in elevation.

The second grant is for a feasibility and design study on Dillon Creek. The approved grant is for a $30,000 study with a grant amount of 90-percent ($27,000).

Dillon Creek, upstream from Enchanted Hills, has cut banks serving as one of the main causes of sedimentation to Lake Wawasee. The problems: size of subwatershed (Dillon Creek drains water from 3,423 acres), grade drop (more than 90 feet) and erodible soils. To be able to help manage the sedimentation, there is a need to control both the grade near the stream, increase water holding capacity and erosion.

WACF is also supported by friends who donate their time, money, expertise and-or land.

There are currently more than 500 sponsors and the number keeps growing.

While studies, grants and acquisitions of essential property are frequently highlighted, the WACF also provides educational opportunities, such as canoe trips each summer through the watershed.

There have been many hot topics for WACF including Eurasian water milfoil and it was one of 49 lakes in the state to receive funds for treatment. It has also been chosen as a littoral study through a LARE grant. This study looked at four plantings - concrete, plastic, bio log and natural - to see which will help preserve erosion. The study is near the channel going to The Frog.

The group is also working with the WPOA, DNR and Town of Syracuse on the needs of the dam in Syracuse. Proposals and engineering studies are in the works.

There are four elements of the WACF mission: wetlands conservation, wise management of agriculture, community commitment to controlled development and water use and preservation of water quality of the lakes.

The foundation depends on tax-deductible donations from sponsors interested in preserving the 'scenic beauty and water quality' in the lakes and protecting the wetlands. Those donations are sought from the entire area of the watershed.

Any individual or organization can become a friend to WACF with a donation of money, land, buildings, conservation easements and tangible or intangible assets.

Those interested are invited to attend the meeting, or contact WACF at P.O. Box 548, Syracuse, IN 46567, call (574) 457-4549 or visit Web site wacf.com or e-mail info@wacf.com.

He became her mentor and taught her the ropes. "He involved me and left me!" she exclaimed. Now she is chair of the committee.

Since then she has been in the process of learning and educating herself regarding ecology of the watershed. However, the retired teacher has taken her teaching experience and utilizes it in educating others about the ecology. "I love learning, so this is right down my alley."

Her responsibility, as is that of the WACF, is to protect the wetlands. "How we do it, is educating the public and tracking water quality."

Water testing is a small portion of her responsibilities. 'I keep track of the calls. We’re all the time getting calls about the lake being dirty. We investigate and talk to those who are having problems with sediment filtering into the lake suggesting fencing or other ways to protect the land from getting into the lake." While water testing is done by others, once a month at various locations, she coordinates the efforts and takes the data collected for local records.

"We’re working on a good way to test for phosphorous," she stated, adding there is currently no accurate means for this test.

The ecology committee also does assessment of property being considered by the WACF, to help determine if it is beneficial to protect the watershed.

"I work with evasive species," she noted, adding there are a number of serious potential evasive species including the land evasive species such as the purple loosestrife. "It kills natural native plants and destroys wetlands which filter out impurities in water."

"I talk to Bob Myers all the time," Castell stated. She continually is reading and educating herself regarding ecology of lakes.

"I was pleased to do my first workshop this spring and get speakers here," she said, adding one of the items in the watershed plan in 2007 was educating the public. She’s already thinking of future workshops.
Castell admitted the WACF takes a lot of her time but she also represents the area on the Elkhart County River Alliance Steering Committee and serves on the Syracuse Library Board.

But when she’s not protecting the water quality and thinking of ways to educate the public in this matter, she enjoys "the normal family stuff," with her and her husband William’s combined family of four, four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She enjoys snow skiing in the winter and enjoys the lake as much as she can. "I love to go wilderness camping in Canada," she stated, admitting that hasn’t occurred for a while.

Castell is no stranger to the area. She was born and raised at Lake Wawasee, with her father, Maurice Lung, the former superintendent of the local fish hatchery and later the state superintendent. He also operated a bait store next to the former Galloway Grocery. "I grew up following the hatchery people," she laughed, noting she could be found feeding the carp, catching turtles and the like. In fact her parents developed Leeland Addition with her aunt and uncle, where she now resides.

So for her, volunteering with WACF is "like coming home in a lot of ways."

Diana and her husband moved back to Indiana from out west in 1987 due to the health of her parents. She noted she left the area when she was 18 for Purdue University and "never expected to come back." During her time away she taught fourth- through eighth-graders and was even a principal in Casper, Wyo. When they returned to Indiana, she contacted Elkhart Community Schools for a teaching position, where she had taught in the early 1970s. She spent one year at Roosevelt Elementary finishing up her teaching career at Beardsley Elementary teaching sixth-graders.

The Sudlow family that Anna Rex became a part of when she married Johnny Sudlow has experienced quite a history at Lake Wawasee. His grandfather, Charles A. Sudlow, was one of the earlier residents of the lake and was developing Papakeechie Lake just before his untimely death.

He had purchased the land just east of Col. John Vawter’s property along what is now Vawter Park Road. It extended well into what is now Highland View Gardens. The family’s summer home had been the Markey farmhouse, which sat upon the property now owned by Mike DeWitt, while Russell and Mary Anderon’s house is where the carriage house was. The farmhouse was one of very few located on the lake and was purchased by Sudlow in 1890.

Eli Lilly in his “Early Wawasee Days” has this to say about him, "The man who built the (Papkeechie) dam and created this beautiful little lake, and who was also largely responsible for building the little Episcopal church on the south shore of Lake Wawasee, was Charles A. Sudlow, who had been born in Surrey, England coming to the United States at the age of nineteen."

CREATIVE INSPIRATION - John Sudlow is shown next to an oak tree with a large burl he crafted into spectacular doors when he remodeled the home he and Anna purchased in 1965.

According to Anna Sudlow, the patriarch of the Sudlow family in the United States was a prominent businessman who settled in Indianapolis where he was an executive for the Interstate Life Insurance Company. He came to Wawasee with the Lilly and Vawter families, and others from Indianapolis and other central Indiana towns, who were considered "pioneers" of lake living.

Sudlow and his fellow investors had big plans for Papkeechie according to Anna Sudlow. After the dam was built making one larger lake from several smaller ones, plans were in the works for an 18-hole golf club to be built adjacent to it. Lots were to be much larger than what they ended up being.
Unfortunately, Charles Sudlow died unexpectedly at what is now considered a young age. The other partners split the property into smaller lots. However, his vision is evident to anyone who views the picturesque Papakeechie.

Arthur Sudlow, John’s father, helped to build what she calls "the state house" and ponds for the fish hatchery. Husband John loved the lake his whole life. His family had come to live at Wawasee year round, which is why he was attending Syracuse High School where he and Anna met.
Sudlow and the second Eli Lilly were friends. Lilly even mentions him in his book as follows, "His (Charles’) grandson John Sudlow is the prominent and helpful contractor and friend of many cottagers around the lake."

John Sudlow helped Lily with his book and Anna Sudlow has a treasure trove of materials, photos, deeds, abstracts and other historical items stored away. She refers to it as "Johnny’s things" and her grandson John Heckaman, who shared an interest in local history, will one day have them. "I don’t get into them," she adamantly exclaims.

Of Eli Lilly, she notes he was one of several who stopped by the pier shop from time to time to visit. "We had some very good business mentors. Mr. Lilly was so nice, humble and gracious and dedicated to his friends," she explains.

The young couple had gotten into the pier business because John had come up with a new idea on how to make piers. Today, it is in its third generation of family ownership and is known to all as Sudlow’s Pier Shop.

Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation received two DNR Lake and River Enhancement (LARE) grants recently. The first is for an engineering construction project on a stream feeding Village Lake in Noble County. The approved grant is for a $62,500 construction project with a grant amount of 75-percent ($46,875).

Village Lake is the 10th and final lake in the 10-lake chain of pristine lakes prior to flowing into Lake Wawasee. The stream flowing into the north side of Village Lake (near the historic site of the Indian Oven) has been severely eroding along approximately 600-1,000 feet of the drainage area. The banks have washed and been under cut to eight feet in elevation.

This sediment is being deposited at the outflow of the stream into Village Lake. Upon closer examination of the mouth of the drain at Village Lake, it appears over half an acre of lake and wetlands have been converted into upland due to historic sedimentation from this drainage stream. Village Lake is inches deep up to 20 feet from the existing shoreline, and the bottom substrate consists of recently deposited sediments. This grant includes erosion control upstream on the severely cut and collapsing banks of the stream.

The second grant is for a feasibility and design study on Dillon Creek. The approved grant is for a $30,000 study with a grant amount of 90-percent ($27,000).

Dillon Creek, upstream from Enchanted Hills, has cut banks serving as one of the main causes of sedimentation to Lake Wawasee. The problems: size of subwatershed (Dillon Creek drains water from 3,423 acres), grade drop (over 90 feet) and erodible soils. To be able to help manage the sedimentation, there is a need to control both the grade near the stream, increase water holding capacity and erosion.
Sediment loading from Enchanted Hills has been estimated to contribute 330,150 pounds per year of sediment into Lake Wawasee. The Commonwealth Diagnostic Feasibility Study estimated Dillon Creek contributes 17-percent of total phosphorus, 29-percent of total nitrogen and 34-percent of total suspended solids to Lake Wawasee. The evaluation identified Dillon Creek as the highest contributor of nutrients and suspended solids concentrations of any measured site, and nitrogen concentrations were unusually high (over 8 mg/l).

The Enchanted Hills Watershed Evaluation (SWCD 1994) suggested several methods to reduce sediment loading on Dillon Creek, including grade control structures upstream and an enhanced wetland or sediment trap. The JFNew Watershed Management Plan shows Dillon Creek possessed the highest total nitrogen, total phosphorus and total suspended solids during storm flow (www.wacf.com).

Completion of these important projects will help protect water quality.