The Mail-Journal, Volume 28, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 28 June 1989 — Page 38
WAWASEE FLOTILLA —Wednesday, June 28, 1989
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Ev Ganz is 1989 Flotilla King
By STACEY LESCH “I’m actually the chairman of the flotilla, but they call it the ‘king,’” says Chicago native, Everardo “Ev” Ganz. Living in Syracuse since 1963, Ev and his wife, Billie, were asked by some friends to join the flotilla committee almost 10 years ago. Nominated by the committee as this year’s “King of the Flotilla,” Ev is responsible for running the flotilla committee meetings and organizing other committees for additional events such as the annual bike race. In the 10 years he has worked with the flotilla, Ev helped with the bike race, publicity, "and a lot of other stuff.” Ev brought his family to Syracuse after receiving a job offer. "We wanted to raise our boys in a smaller community,” he says of why they relocated. Today, Ev owns and operates his own businesses including the American Home Centers with a store in Syracuse and Warsaw,
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FLOTILLA KING — Ev Ganz has been elected to serve as the 1989 King of the Flotilla. An active member on the flotilla committee for 10 years, Ev will acting chairman for the committee and will be responsible for organizing committees and running meetings. Ev is pictured with a trophy he and his wife won for their participation in the Flotilla Parade in 1976.
‘Welcome < To‘Tf!e 1989 FLOTILLA 107 'East 'Main St. 'Phom 457-4282 Syracuse, 1'7(46567 Blue Flame Gas Os North Webster Celebrating 31 Years Os Service In The Lake Area STOP BY AND SEE OUR EXCELLENT SELECTION OF: • Whirlpool Appliances • Warm Morning Heaters • Water Heaters • Ducane Gas Grills • Bard And Coleman Furnaces ggAS OF NORTH WEBSTER LOCATED ON HWY. 13 — NEXT TO SOUTH SHORE GOLF COURSE Phone: 834-2811 & 457-8100 Manager: 808 SNYDER
and National Products Incorporated, located in Syracuse The history of the Flotilla Parade is filled with a tradition of businesses, organizations and individuals showing their support for this unique event. The first parade was held on Father’s Day, June 18,1961, upon the suggestion of Gordon “Short” McCormick. The project was undertaken by the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce with the six original members of the flotilla committee being: Tom Socks, Earl Money, Short McCormick, Dale Butt, Clem Lisor, and Tiny Sole. More than 75 entries, all built on pontoon boats, made up this first parade which was led by Lt. Governor Richard Ristine, honorary commodore. The first 27-mile journey was reported to have endured three hours and to be witnessed by over 25,000 people according to an account in The Milford Mail. The success of the flotilla prompted its becoming an annual event, taking place
on Father’s Day, which would mark the opening of the vacation season at Syracuse and Wawasee Lakes. But, from 1970 to 1974, the future of the flotilla looked grim. The newly organized chapter of the Jaycees took over sponsor-' ship hoping to keep the flotilla a popular attraction. However, because of a fire that destroyed both the clubroom of the Jaycees, and consequently all flotilla records, the Jaycees disbanded. During 1972 and 1973, there were no flotilla parades. The Syracuse Chamber of Commerce later regained sponsorship of the flotilla and, directed by then-chairman Ted Rogers, decided to move the date of the parade from Father’s Day to July 4 in order to better guarantee nice weather. Due to the success of the 1974 parade, the event was officially reinstated as an annual festivity. This year, Ev says he is hoping for 100 entries. Unlike the first year, all entries will not be built on pontoons but from all types of watercraft including paddle boats, speedboats and row boats. Following the parade on Sun day, there will be a fireworks display over Lake Wawasee. This display, the Big Bam Boom, has been described as one of the largest in Indiana as thousands of people turn out to share in the beauty and excitement of the fireworks. There will be another fireworks display on July 4 at Lakeside Park, Syracuse. For additional information about the flotilla, the following people can be contacted: committee chairman, Ev Ganz, 457-3106; co-publicity chairwoman, Diane Stell. 457-5995; or co-publicity chairman, Dave Ganz, 457-2425. Earl Money loved the lake By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer “He was a well-liked conservation officer and one of the original group of six who came up with the idea. It was befitting to name a special award.” This comment was made in regard to the establishing of the Earl Money Trophy for the Wawasee Flotilla, by Ted Rogers, long-time flotilla member. Earl was a conservation officer for 32 years and according to his wife, Fredetta, spent 17 of those years in the Syracuse area. “He loved the lake, his job and the people. He didn’t want anything to happen to the lake and he worked hard for the kids,” noted Fredetta, adding that her husband wanted people to enjoy the lake, yet also respect the lake. During the years of 1957-1959 there had been drownings on the lake on Father’s Day. Earl came up with an idea, that if you gave everyone something to do that day, the drownings would cease. Thus the beginning of the flotilla in 1961. Earl was one of the original founders of the event that was later moved to the July Fourth weekend, because of better weather. Others on the original committee were Tiny Sole, Clem Lisor, Dale Butt, Short McCormick, and Tom Socks. Earl served on the committee, from 1961 until his death in 1974. It was in 1975 that the trophy was started, in recognition of all the years of service he gave to the lake. The flotilla committee that year decided in addition to the other divisional trophies and the overall commodore’s trophy, this trophy would be given as a special award. The trophy is purchased by the flotilla committee, but presented each year by Fredetta to the entry she feels is deserving.