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Covering Milford, Syracuse & North Webster, Indiana
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Dixie Day Fun
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Wawasee School Board hears two conceptual proposals %\ 0$5,66$ 6:($7/$1' 6WDII :ULWHU The special school board meeting held Tuesday, Aug. 1, was the first step in a legal process. The purpose of the meeting was to hear two proposed projects of Wawasee Community Schools and to open the floor to any public comment. Everything presented by the architects is just an idea, an option. The projects have not entered the design phase. As laid out by Indiana Code, a school corporation must hold two public hearings in order to adopt a resolution to preliminarily determine to issue bonds or enter a lease for a project that has a total project cost in excess of a noncontrolled project. In the spring, a community engagement committee was assembled to help look at facilities and to present its findings to the board for consideration. The committee Continued on page 3
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Pavilion and cabin dedicated at WACF Lakes Celebration
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Staci York announces resignation
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%\ /$85(1 =(8*1(5 6WDII :ULWHU Staci York, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, recently announced her resignation. Her last day as executive director will be Friday, Aug. 4. She served as chamber director for a year while also doing some social media marketing on the side. She said she was looking to pursue a more marketing focused career moving forward. “I’ve enjoyed my time here. It’s been a great learning experience,” York said. “The people in the community are great.” She and her husband plan to stay in the area for the foreseeable future. A search for a new executive director for the chamber is currently underway.
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Jim Silcox receives WACF’s Cattail Award 7H[W DQG 3KRWRV %\ '(% 3$77(5621 (GLWRU ,Q &KLHI Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s annual Lakes Celebration includes the presentation of the prestigious Cattail Award. This year, the award was presented to Jim Silcox. John Bearss, WACF board chairman, announced the Cattail Award, stating Silcox is a member of the canoe team. Bearss highlighted Silcox’s commitment to the community through his involvements, past and present, serving on the Wawasee Property Owners Association and the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy. “Like many of us, he was introduced 20 years ago by taking his boys on the 10-lake canoe trip. In 2019, when he was newly retired,
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he was looking for a “healthy activity, giving back to the community and carrying on a great tradition. The canoe team on the top of his list.” Bearss also stated for those who know Dan Berkey and Al Campbell, “they are great at setting the hook and reeling you in.” This is what happened to Bearss and Silcox after meeting the two men for the first time. Silcox, according to Bearss, has earned the leadership position on the canoe team. He has expanded the attributes of what canoe trip participants are seeing and experiencing. “It’s been a pleasure,” said Bearss, noting Silcox has affected Continued on page 2
Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s annual Lakes Celebration Saturday morning, July 29, was just that. A celebration. This year’s event was held at WACF’s Between-The-Lakes Preserve. The celebration was the dedication of the Joan M. Buletty Pavilion and the Quinn Cottage. Heather Harwood, executive director, provided the background on the acquisition of the preserve and the eventual creation of the Buletty Pavilion. She noted the mission statement from Sam Lemon who was chairman of the property. That statement is “preservation and restoration and enjoyment of the habitat and the shoreline, and demonstration based land and water management. “We have come a long way from the acquisition in 2016 from the Searfoss family. Shortly there after Jim and Sally Hubbard gave a donation for the care of the property. Harwood noted in 2018 a grant was received to restore native plantings on the property and the efforts of George Hardy and Scott Fetters. She then went into the interest and involvement of Joan Buletty who chose the pavilion project from the foundation’s wish list. “She saw the potential of the property,” said Harwood. A long-time friend of Joan Slocum Buletty, Harwood stated Bu-
letty was a good friend to the conservancy and enjoyed the trails at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes and Wetlands Education Center. She flew a WACF flag at the end of her pier, and knew a lot of folks around the lake. She chose to fund the pavilion from a menu of WACF wish list items, and “I believe she saw an opportunity, as an educator, for potential on the
Between-the-Lakes, site, and it’s access to the lakes and wetlands from a central spot.” “She supported the mission and knew the area well from spending time growing up on the lake. The Buletty Pavilion is located on the property to take advantage of the panoramic views of the wetlands and the natural amphitheater Continued on page 2
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