The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 June 1989 — Page 19

Summer

Wawasee Yacht Club is rich in history

By STACEY LESCH Staff Writer Founded by Edward Dodez, a native and resident of Fort Wayne, the Wawasee Yacht Club has come a long way since its establishment in 1935. According to a written account, by Paul E. Hess, former Yacht Club member, “Early Wawasee Yacht Club History: The Formative Years,” the group was formed by Dodez after showing an interest in teaching the fundamentals of sailing to young male Sea Scouts. His lessons were originally taking place on Sylvan Lake in Rome City. Upon hearing that Wawasee was a good sailing lake, Dodez, accompanied by other experienced sailors, Joseph Plasket, Byron McCammon and Henry Wahl, found themselves on the north shore of Lake Wawasee at Bishop’s Boat Livery and Wawasee Boat Company, both operated by Charles E. Bishop. After telling Bishop of their intentions to organize a sailing club, it so came about that Bishop offered the group the use of his boat livery’s front porch for their headquarters. Thus, was born the Wawasee Yacht Club. After a year or so at the livery,

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Bishop agreed to allow the club to enclose the porch so the members could have a roof over their heads and a place to install small lockers. In 1937 the plans were finalized, however, there appeared to be no funds to construct the project. Informed sources assure that Eli Lilly suggested material bills be directed toward him and agreed to underwrite the entire project. During the club’s third year in existence in 1938, what seemed an impossible feat became reality. The Snipe Class International Regatta was held on Lake Wawasee with 35 Snipes (type of boat) and their crews from all parts of the country participating. After the three-day memorable event, it was noted that the small screened-in porch at the boat livery would not suffice for other events the Yacht Club would host. Once again, with sizeable donations from Mr. Lilly, the club was able to purchase its own “clubhouse” on the south side of the lake. The purchase took place in May, 1939. The clubhouse was a cottage with one small living room, two small bedrooms, a little kitchen, a stool and wash basin, and a modest screened-in porch to the front. Attached and to the rear

was an enclosure with steps leading upstairs to a storage area. Two steps down lay a ground floor of dirt and a cement elevation some six feet in depth at the far end of the room was used for livestock such as pigs and sheep. Hay and grain were stored upstairs in the loft while the main downstairs area was used for chickens and ducks. Owned at the time by D. J. Brunjes Estate, prior use of the premises was for the caretakers and employees of the neighboring Tavern Hotel situated where the Paul Penn residence is today. After the purchase, the clubhouse was completely remodeled on the inside and today, stands as such. A close look at the clubhouse ceiling reveals the outlines of beams showing where original walls were constructed. The purpose of the Yacht Club as stated in its original copy of the Articles of Incorporation, was: To foster, promote and encourage the sport of sailing and boating, and to promote the science of seamanship; to own, lease or otherwise provide and maintain, a clubhouse, piers, anchorage, boats and all other necessary or useful property to carry out the purpose of the Club; to hold or sponsor regattas, races, or other competitive sailing or boating events; to do any and all lawful things for the recreation of its members on a non-profit basis. Those club bylaws remain even today. “In the club lounge there now hangs a bronze plaque that perhaps has more history than most current members know about,” writes Hess. “Back in 1937 when the club was headquartered in Bishop’s Wawasee Boat Company’s screened-in front porch, owner and operated Charles E. Bishop became so interested in Yacht Club activities that he. deemed it right and necessary to construct a wooden pattern from a drawing he ‘dreamed up’ then proceeded to have a casting made at the Elkhart Foundry in Elkhart, and ordered 25 or 30 bronze plaques

be made to be offered as sailing awards at appropriate sailing events. No one asked Mr. Bishop to do this and any and all expenses in connection with casting were his own.” Hess further refers to the plaque as a “labor of love” and believes there is only one more in existence owned now by Harry S. Bishop, grandson of Charles E. Bishop. By 1943 membership of the Yacht Club reached a total of 53 men and women. Today, the club has approximately 20 active families and 10 associate members who all own at least half interest in a Class E or a Lightning boat. The club is very active in the May through October months with events held each weekend. Says Doug Schmahl, member, the club is always sponsoring events such as regattas, and district and invitational competitions. Anyone wishing information on becoming a member of the yacht club should call the clubhouse at 457-2321. This year’s officers are President Alan Fox, Vice President John Call, Secretary Virgil Snyder and Treasurer Robert Troutman.

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SUMMER R AND R — These swimmers and sunners are enjoying a little “r and r” at Lakeside Park on Syracuse Lake. In addition to patriotic celebration, “rest and relaxation are favored Fourth of July pastimes. (Photo by Kate Wolford)

Selecting proper anchor

Anchors are perhaps the most ignored item of boating equipment. Yet, selecting the right anchor for the job can measurably increase the pleasure of boating and fishing, according to boating experts at Yamaha Outboards. A deadweight anchor is the cheapest and least effective anchoring device. It keeps the boat in place by weight alone, while tending to drag across the bottom in heavy winds. Nondeadweight anchors utilize a “gripping" feature to hold the boat in place. There are two types of mechanical anchors: 1) those with flukes, which work best on sand or mud bottoms; and 2) grappling anchors that have multiple tines extending out from the core to grab hold on rocky Surprised Exasperated wife: “1 knew I was marrying a blooming idiot, but I didn’t think you were a perennial.”

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A REAL SWINGER — Brittany Fetterman, age 3*£, of Kalamazoo, Micfi., is caught swinging the day away at Lakeside Park in Syracuse. Lots of little and big out-of-towners will flock to the lake area over the Fourth of July holiday. Brittany is the daughter of Jim and Marta Fetterman. (Photo by Kate Wolford)

bottoms. These are almost useless on sand and mud bottoms. Mushroom anchors look exactly like inverted mushrooms. They work well on mud bottoms by digging in under pressure. Mushroom anchors are popular for canoes and light cartop boats. The so-called Navy anchor is perhaps the most misunderstood design. Many boaters believe they must be best because they are used on ocean ships. Fact is, they are the least desirable for fishermen. Naval anchors utilize heavy weight and can dig fairly well into a soft bottom. The Navy isn’t concerned about their weight because it hoists anchors up and down with power winches, but heaving naval anchors can turn into a backbreaking chore for small boat owners. Adding a short length of chain to an anchor line significantly increases the holding power of any anchor. Both chain and anchor

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with a rubberized coating to prevent noise may be purchased. Quick release anchors are essential for some kinds of fishing. This design fastens directly to a buoy, with a short length of rope and snap fastener extending over to the boat. The quick-release anchor system allows a fisherman to quickly slip loose and chase after a hooked fish, then return to the exact same spot again. When boat camping on the water, a dual anchor system, fore and aft, provides the best insurance against drifting aground. Finally, there is a drift anchor. One of the best is a heavy length of chain or length of pipe filled with concrete, but even a bucket of sand dragging behind a boat can help if the current is right. The options are there to match every boating need, with the payoff being more fun on the water for those who pick the proper anchor for the job. conclude the boating experts.

Wed., June 28,1989 — THE MAIL-JOURNAL

Riddle to appear on television July 4th

The “Trial of Standing Bear’ is scheduled to be broadcast at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, on Channel 34. Playing the role of General George Crook will be George Riddle. Riddle, whose mother’s maiden name was Mellinger, is a member of the Kosciusko County Historical society and submits many queries to “Relatively Speaking” regarding 32 family lines in the area, particularly in the North Webster area. He is related to Don Nichols of Warsaw. An actor for over 38 years, Riddle resides in New York city. He most recently appeared with Leslie Uggams in “Anything Goes” in Clarridge Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., for three months in a limit run there, and then went on tour with that show. He was in “The Fantasticks for 2,900 performances in the past 26 years and has also been engaged in film and television. “The Trial of Standing Bear” tells the story of Ponca Chief Standing Bear, who was arrested by the United States Army after leading a small group of his people from Indian Territory back to their homeland in northern Nebraska in defiance of government orders.

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In addition to his belief that his people had been unfairly treated and would continue to die from starvation or disease if they didn’t leave the harsh conditions of the Indian Territory, Standing Bear was fulfilling a promise to his dying son that he would be laid to rest in the land where he was born. His plight was the basis for the landmark 1879 legal case which established for the first time that “an Indian is a person within the meaning of the law” and thus was recognized as having protection under the US Constitution. Historical accuracy and sensitivity to native American culture were goals throughout this production. All Indian roles in the drama were filled by Indian actors. Plants grow at Chernobyl MOSCOW — Some of the vegetation in the contaminated zone around the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is growing to giant size, the newspaper Lenin’s Banner, reported. Some tree branches and leaves are abnormally formed, and stamens tend to split, the newspaper said.

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