The Mail-Journal, Volume 22, Number 32, Milford, Kosciusko County, 7 August 1985 — Page 12

THE MAIL-JOURNA£ — Wed., August 7,1985

12

Summer

Lake Webster Ski Bees have pizzazi

By JIM BRODERICK ' Staff Writer The Lake Webster Ski Bees have always been confident in their ability to perform. As Judy Harris, the Ski Bees number one fan says, “It was just a matter of

Sr hHBBRKSBI HwBF '* ~ "*x. jrl '-■*a2 u jgg ■ •’ - - ' 4B . ... ' iZ .-...iaßmßSaßßmi' LOOK OUT BELOW — Nick Gagliano braces himself for a landing as Larry Harris hides behind a spray of water. (Photo by Jim Broderick)

Br ! mm' ' ' ' ' ' • ItUNIY TAKES ONE — These Ski Bees show that getting by on one ski is just as easy, and far more impressive, than using them both. (Photo by Jim Broderick)

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tapping into the community. Now that we’ve started doing that, the response has been tremendous.’ Although the Ski Bees have been around for years, only lately have they captured the attention they feel they deserve. This newfound notoriety is due to a com-

bination of things, according to Judy Harris. Perhaps the most important factor, she believes, can be found in the enthusiasm of the “driving force’’ of the ski bees, Joe Gagliano. “Joe has really turned things around. When he gets enthusiastic about something, it’s full steam ahead.’’ Harris said. Gagliano has been driving for the ski bees for 15 years. In that time, he’s seen a lot of changes in the Ski Bees. He’s been around long enough to know their strengths and weaknesses. “We’ve been putting on shows every other weekend for the last 15 years,” Gagliano said. “The only thing we lacked was the element of pizzazz.” Gagliano credits his ability to instill that element in the group to a trip he took last year. “I had the opportunity to see an organization perform in Florida. I began to see how we could ’package’ our show.” Gagliano says the byproduct of his enthusiasm has been an increased desire to please the crowd. “A lot of the Ski Bees are now asking themselves, ‘How can we make the act a little more showy?’ ” Gagliano is quick to point out, however, that the whatever the Ski Bees do, it’s a team effort. “There are no ego problems,” Gagliano said. “We give everybody a chance. After all, everyone is involved for the same reasons.” Although there may be no individual ‘stars’ on the Ski Bees, there are certainly regular crowd pleasers. One such attraction is the “Ski Bum.” Larry Harris assumes the character of the clownish skier, who delights the crowd with his

antics, both on and off the water. “I’m really just a clown at heart,” said Harris, who not only entertains the crowd with his comic talents, but with his accomplished skiing ability as well. “I like to relate to the crowd,” he said. Gagliano says The ‘Ski Bum’ is an important part of the show, and a rare mix of entertainer and genuine talent. “The best entertainers don’t always make the best skiiers,” he said. “That’s why the ‘Ski Bum’ is such a popular part of the show.” Harris points out that some of the stunts he, as well as other members of the group perform, are not as easy as they look, especially when you involve the crowd. ‘lt’s one thing to learn a new maneuver, but it’s different when you do the same thing in a performance.” Although a feature attraction at all of the groups performances, Harris says he is just one individual among the club. “Fortunately, we don’t have to depend on just one individual. It’s a team effort.” Gagliano believes the recent rise in notoriety of the Ski Bees is Wawasee FFA team first The Wawasee FFA Tractor Trouble-shooting Team placed first in the 1985 District Contest held recently at Bremen. Marty Brown, Rich Miller and Rob Hare teamed up to capture the top spot and qualify for the State Tractor Trouble-shooting Contest which will be held during the Indiana State Fair. Lee Troyer, ag mechanics instructor at the high school, serves as the team’s coach. In tractor trouble-shooting, international malfunctions are placed in identical tractors by experienced mechanics. Team members then have 45 minutes to identify the problems, correct them and get the tractor running properly. This includes setting spark plug gaps to the correct spacing and setting the timing. The malfunctions may be placed anywhere in the fuel or electrical systems. Team members are also scored on their safety practices and will be required to complete a written test at the State Contest. Members Work At Pioneer Days Several members or me chapter also worked at the agricultural display tent at Warsaw’s Pioneer Days. Each of the county’s FFA Chapters and numerous agribusinesses provided displays and live animals to better promote agriculture in Kosciusko County. A special slide presentation depicting each of the FFA Chapters in the County was provided for those visiting the exhibit. Wawasee FFA members who helped care for the animals and answer questions were Kevin Grimm, Rich Karst, Jake Kizer, Todd Roberts, Tom Cotton, Lisa Kaiser, Kent Nulf, Mitch Price and John Zimmerman. August 4 crop report The crop report for the week ending August 4 shows that crop and pasture conditions have improved from a week earlier as a result of scattered showers, some heavy, during the period. The corn condition is now rated seven percent poor, 39 percent fair, 47 percent good and seven percent excellent. The 54 percent good or better rating compares with 50 percent a week earlier and 74 percent a year earlier. The corn crop is 95 percent silked, a week ahead of the 85 percent silked last year and 10 days ahead of the five year average of 80 percent. There is 30 percent that has reached the dough stage which is normal for the date but double the 15 percent in dough a year ago. Soybean condition is rated two percent poor, 41 fair, 51 percent good and six percent excellent. The 57 percent good or better rating compares with 54 .percent , a week ago and 75 percent in 1984. Only 14 percent of the corn is rated good or better in the northern third of the state compared with 76 percent in other areas reflecting the extended dry weather in the north. Soybeans are 26 percent good or better in the north compared with 74 percent elsewhere. Second cutting of alfalfa hay is finishing up at 95 percent complete. This is more than two weeks ahead of the normal 85 percent and a few days ahead of the 93 percent cut last year.

due to four distinct changes. The first is fund raising. This year, the ski team has accelerated its fund raising efforts by asking for donations when it performs at its Dixie Haven location, where the crowds have become impressively large. The club raised enough money in two weeks to produce a program which includes photos, the club history, and performance schedule. Another big change is enthusiasm. Gagliano says club members are constantly coming up with new ideas for themes or costumes. This type of input from club members allows the Ski Bees to control that aspect of their performance, without having to consult outside sources. “This year has been really gratifying for everybody,” Gagliano said. A Ski Club is only as good as its equipment, and the equipment now being used by the Ski Bees is almost exclusively new. “We’ve got almost everybody using the same kind of skis,” Gagliano said. In addition, the club has purchased new safety equipment, such as tow ropes and harnesses. Finally, the Ski Bees have been doing more performing outside of the North Webster area. This allows them to promote their club and build a reputation. Still, the club feels its greatest contribution could be to Kosciusko County. “We want to develop the Ski Bees into a regional resource. We could be a very important entity in the county,” Gagliano said. “We’re not that far away from being a major attraction, ”

y J‘ * ' '*■ | ’ r ' -' ' ABk IM S H Khfc ji , uE i««lj ' ' W ■ ?/' . ■ •’ Z .. . STAYING IN LINE — Ed Yahne, Goshen, carries the flag for the Lake Webster Ski Bees as they rehearse for one of their weekend shows. (Photo by Jim Broderick)

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Gagliano said. “We don’t really have to make too many changes. We need to increase our advertising, and continue performing outside the area, as well as locally.” But as the club grows, so will the need for experienced, talented people to handle every facet of their performance, from behind the scenes, to above the water. Gagliano believes the club has the depth. “For as many skiers as we have on the water, there are at least that many people behind the scenes. For some reason, we have quite a bit of depth. That’s what’s made it work,” Gagliano said. Linda Harris believes «sthe future of the club is at least as bright as the present. “There’s always somebody interested enough to keep things going,” she said. She said that fact that many of the club members are from the same families has a lot to do with making it work. “It really is a family type club,” she said. No where is that statement more true than in her own family, with husband Larry serving as ‘Ski Bum’ and son Gary serving as vice president. However, this club is not restricted to family members only. The Ski Bees are always looking for new talent, and welcome the introduction of new ideas from outside sources. This grow.ing club hopes it will continue to grow. “It can be a hassle sometimes, because we practice a lot, and it does take a lot of dedication,” Gagliano said, “But no matter what we do, or plan to do, the main purpose will always be the same — having a good time.”

iy - .... ~ x; - ’ ■ WHAT GOES UP,— Larry Harris and Nick Gagliano fly over fellow Ski Bee Brian Schlagenhauf as they practice one of the more difficult maneuvers in their show. (Photo byJim Broderick)

w * s I - ■* W ? H SHOW STOPPER — The Ski Bee Pyramid is a popular stunt at the performances of the Lake Webster ski club. (Photo by Jim Broderick)

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