The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 20, Milford, Kosciusko County, 27 June 1990 — Page 45

WAWASEE FLOTILLA-Wednesday, June 27,1990

22

Ted Rogers is a role model

By JENNIFER WOODWARD Staff Writer Many members of the Wawasee Flotilla committee believe that Ted Rogers is the backbone of the entire festival. He has been there from its rebirth in 1974 and has remained as a role model throughout his years of involvement. The flotilla originally began in 1961 with the help of six area businessmen who wanted to show their appreciation to the community. The original members of the flotilla committee being: Tom Socks, Earl Money, Short

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McCormick, Dale Butt, Clem Lisor, and Tiny Sole. The flotilla proved to be a huge success in its early years. The first parade had over 75 entries and was led by Lt. Governor Richard Ristine, honorary commodore. In 1970 the newly organized Jaycees decided to take over the sponsorship of the flotilla. However, a fire that destroyed the Pickwick block and consequently the Jgycee club room and all flotilla rfecords, the Jaycees disbanded. The flotilla continued for the next two years through the help

of Steve Butt. Interest had begun to falter and there were fewer entries each new year. For this reason there was no flotilla in 1972 and 1973. During this period, Ted Rogers and his wife, Marge, had moved to Lake Wawasee from Huntington in 1971. He and his wife had spent previous summers on the lake and had always enjoyed the flotilla parade. With his move to Syracuse, Rogers decided to join the chamber of commerce. As a new member the chamber asked him what ideas he had for the town’s future. Rogers answered that he enjoyed the flotilla and would like to see it revived again. The chamber enthusiastically agreed and appointed Rogers chairman of the flotilla committee in 1974. In the best interest of the community, Rogers decided to separate the flotilla committee from the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce. The committee is not affiliated with any other organization. “We raise our own funds. We don’t ask the merchants for donations, there’s too much of that,” Rogers explains. “Nobody is voted in or

out of the committee. Whoever wants to join can be a member.” Rogers describes the fun-loving committee members, “It’s just a fun thing. We’re not trying to prove anything.” The flotilla committee is stronger than ever with 20 to 30 steady members every year. The group will meet throughout the year planning for the upcoming flotilla. Each year the committee plans a fundraiser during the winter months. The fundraiser is usually a big success and one of the social events of the year. Every year the committee manages to raise enough money to cover the expenses, “We don’t raise anymore than what we need.” However, one year the flotilla committee managed to come up short with funds. Committee members reached into their own pockets to cover the expenses. This year enough money was raised that cash prizes will be awarded to the top competitors. “This year we decided to reinstate the Commodore’s Cup,” added Rogers. The Commodore winner will receive the beautiful silver cup plus $250. “We’ll give one each year, and let the winner keep it.” This year’s Commodore’s Cup will be displayed at various Syracuse businesses during the days leading up to the flotilla. The Commodore’s Cup has quite a history behind it. During the early history of the flotilla in the 19605, Eli Lilly would donate the Commodore’s Cup to each year’s best overall entry. In the 1970 s the Commodore’s Cup was a traveling cup. If a person won three years in a row he or she would get to keep the cup. About three years ago a young man was arrested for robbing various homes around Lake Wawasee. When the police arrived at the thief’s home they recovered many stolen goods, including an old Commodore’s Cup. The cup is not dated and to this day, Rogers has not found the

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rightful owner. Rogers hopes to see more entries than ever before. Each year the flotilla will receive an average of 35-40 entries. Rogers notes, “The first year of the flotilla there were 75-80 entries. The people didn’t all make elaborate floats.’’ He adds, “We’re trying to get back to the idea of not having full-full-fledged boats and getting more entries.” Rogers understands that there is a lot of work put into a decorated boat, that can take a lot of time and money. He said that the committee will accept anything that goes 10 miles per hour and is sea-worthy. Everything about the flotilla is a real enjoyment for Rogers. He loves to be at the start of the flotilla and seeing all the entries arrive for the line-up, “You never know how many are going to show up until then.” He adds that the people in the floats also get a big kick out of the festivities, “When you go around the lake and see 30,000 to 50,000 people on the shore waving and cheering, it’s a real thrill.” Due to his initial effort to pull the flotilla committee together and his continuous support, many may say that Rogers is the backbone of the Wawasee Flotilla. But as Rogers points out, it takes more than just one person to make it work. Rogers’ goal when he first became involved with the flotilla wasytti create a spirit of community effort. The flotilla would not be as successful today if it were not for the dedicated committee members, hard-working float builders, and the cheering crowds and supporters on the shoreline.