Huge Turnout for Old Fashioned Christmas!

Yes, there was a Huge Turnout for Old Fashioned Christmas! And oh what a night! The weather was perfect so families turned out in throngs for the 3 rd annual event that starts the Christmas season. Families began arriving at 5:30 to enjoy Christmas music, receive a glow stick, a program with activity map, and take pictures with holiday characters such as Frosty, Gingerbread Man, Grinch, Toy Soldier, elves, and others. None of the activities were available to enjoy until after the Big Tree lighting. So, anticipation was high for a visit with Santa for children, pictures at the family fun photo booth, listening to “The Night Before Christmas” read by an elf, visiting the live reindeer, and taking the horse-drawn wagon ride around the park. The live nativity had both reverent observers and those who came up to observe the baby Jesus closely. The Chapel was a warm refuge to hear the Bible reading of the true Christmas Story. And like every year, cookies, hot cocoa and s’mores were consumed by the warmth of a fire pit.

And there were some changes this year. The most obvious was the 20×40 foot stage that was loaned by the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce. This enabled two musical groups, The Chain Gang and Winona Lake Brass Quintet, to be more visible and to be heard. Phil Metcalf again served as the Master of Ceremonies. Another new element was the t-shirt toss by the Grinch (Tami Schumm) who threw out twenty green Chautauqua Wawasee kids t-shirts from the stage to screaming children. Also new was the wagon ride, which replaced the sleigh ride. Due to its large capacity, more peoplewere able to enjoy the ride pulled by two horses. But what about the lighting of the 70-foot tree? Anticipation was high as 6:15 approached for the lighting and countdown. Oakwood Resort owners, Dr. Rex Parent and his wife Connie, had the honor this year to lead the countdown with the entire crowd joining in: ten, nine, eight….one, MERRY CHRISTMAS…and the huge tree sprang to colorful life as everyone sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas…and Happy New Year.

Chautauqua-Wawasee organizes Old Fashioned Christmas as a free gift to the community with active participation from the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, Syracuse Parks Department, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum, Wawasee Property Owners Association, Rotary, Oakwood Resort, Nappanee Chamber of Commerce, Wawasee High School Tech Department. Kip Schumm is the Program Manager who orchestrates the huge effort in recruiting vendors, 70+ volunteers, and partners. And thanks to these businesses who contributed: Jasper Plastics, Bass Audiology, The Papers Inc., Los Toritos Mexican Restaurant, Man Cave Brewing, Pickwick Theater, Colbin Tool Co. and WPOA.

by

Historical maps are available at the Kosciusko County Surveyor’s Office

The following is a list of the maps used in a presentation by Kosciusko County Surveyor, Mike Kissinger, at the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum on September 1, 2022. These maps and more are available as digital files (pdf, jpeg, or png) or printed copies and may be obtained by contacting Amy Hurd at the Kosciusko County Surveyor’s Office via phone (574-265-2914), email at ahurd@kcgov.com, or in person on the first floor of the Kosciusko County Courthouse, 100 W Center St, Warsaw, IN 46580.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Native American Treaty Map – Unknown Date

 


Map of Indiana – 1826

 


Native American Villages Map – 1800s

 


Flat Belly Reserve – 1834

 


Flat Belly Reserve Aerial Outline – Present Day

 


Turkey Creek West – 1907

 


Turkey Creek Flat Belly Reserve – 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Turkey Creek with Flat Belly Reserve – 1838

 


Map of Native American Trails – Unknown Date

 


1866 County Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1879 County Map

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wawasee & Syracuse Lakes – 1924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbee Lakes – 1938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Partial Map of Wawasee & Syracuse – 1944

 


Syracuse Lake Photograph – Unknown Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Warsaw Map – 1877

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Webster & Backwater Lakes – 1938

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Waubee Lake – 1938

 

Other Kosciusko County maps available include:
County Atlas (1879 & 1914)
County Maps (as early as 1866)
Township Maps (as early as 1866)
Various Town Maps
Various Lake Maps (including elevations)
Topographic Maps
Aerial Imagery (as early as 1938)

 

*Specific map requests not listed may be inquired of by contacting the Surveyor’s Office.

by

Cliff Kindy Shares His Peacemaking Passion

Cliff Kindy shared stories of his non-violent peacemaking as part of the Christian Peacemaking Team (CPT) to an audience of about 50 people last Wednesday night at a Chautauqua Wawasee event held at Oakwood.

 

Cliff and other CPT members were in a Baghdad hotel at the start of the Second Gulf War. They hoped that American pilots might refuse to bomb Iraq if they knew American grandparents were on the ground. They received a disturbing phone call – the bombings would begin in three hours. He asked the audience what they would do during those three hours and then paused to let them reflect. His CPT members shared emotions, prayed and sang songs.

 

Cliff shared other stories of his involvement in Iraq. One time, the CPT members were held at gunpoint. They also stayed at a water treatment plant to deter its bombing. In the First Gulf War, U.S. bombers targeted water treatment plants which later resulted in the death of 800,000 children from drinking bad water.

The CPT team was required to leave Iraq and drove through dangerous territory where they had a car accident. Several of the team members were hurt and Cliff himself sustained a life-threatening head injury. The injured were taken to an Iranian clinic that was bereft of medical supplies due to U.S. sanctions. The doctor overlooked the fact that, technically, these Americans were his enemy. He chose to see them as human beings in need, treated everyone’s injuries, and saved Cliff’s life.

Cliff also shared stories from other global troubled spots. He helped rebuild Palestinian homes destroyed by the Israeli military. He staged sit ins at the U.S. Navy bombing test grounds in Vieques, Puerto Rico resulting in several arrests. He also helped refugees return to their subsistence farms in Chiapas, Mexico, and helped refugees in Goma, Congo.

Churches and other groups in these trouble spots invited CPT to help. Cliff felt privileged to personally grow as he experienced the courage and nonviolent power of these local partners – what he calls “resurrection power.”

In each of these cases, Cliff and his CPT colleagues had to consider what tools they possessed to deter violence. Cliff then asked the audience what tools they currently possess. Responses included conservation, recycling, public transportation, restricting meat, not responding to fear, listening, and starting conversations with strangers. Cliff considered all of these tools as forms of resurrection power.

 

Cliff further explained that resurrection power stems from simple actions that tend to introduce hope into otherwise hopeless situations, oftentimes resulting in power shifts away from armed empires into the hand of ordinary people who are merely trying to survive.

Cliff and his wife, Arlene, live near North Manchester on a 7-acre organic farm. Their sole income comes from selling produce at farmers’ markets, intentionally keeping their income below federal tax levels to protest America’s $800 billion military budget. Solar panels supply their electricity and rainwater provides their water needs. Over the years, both Cliff and Arlene have participated in hundreds of disaster mission trips through the Brethren disaster relief ministries.

Arlene is planning to spend two months in Tennessee helping to rebuild communities devastated by flooding earlier this year. Cliff is seriously considering a request for CPT to fly to Ukraine and stay at a nuclear power plant in an effort to deter further Russian bombings.

by

Cliff Kindy explains Plowsharing the Tools of War

In Resurrection Peacemaking: Plowsharing the Tools of War, Cliff Kindy explains that nonviolence is most effective when it intentionally retakes the initiative from the actors of violence. The New Testament is full of tools to retake the initiative for peace. Paul invites us to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21); and to feed our enemies if they are hungry and to give them something to drink if they are thirsty (Romans 12:20). Jesus says to love our enemies by praying for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44); and to love our enemies by doing good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27-28). He said that the peacemakers are blessed (Matthew 5:9)!
Cliff further explains the implements and processes that plowshare violence and injustice. The tools of listening, crossing barriers that get built between people, truth, unarmed courage, accompaniment of threatened people, persistent protest in the face of injustice, and faith-based visioning will consistently overcome the weapons of violence, usually in the short run and always in the long run.

What: Presentation/Discussion/Workshop
When: Sept 28, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Oakwood Resort Event Center
Cost: Free

Read More

by
Northern American History Series

2022 Northern Indiana History Series

Chautauqua-Wawasee and the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum are once again collaborating to offer a 3-day series of educational and entertaining programs focused on northern Indiana native American history. All programs are free to attend.

Thursday, September 1- 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Using Maps to Unlock the Past (1866 – 1903)

As Kosciusko County Surveyor, Mike Kissinger, has done a great deal of historical research and will share his findings and interest in Kosciusko County and the lakes area. Of special interest are old maps, Indian reservations, old schools/homes, and the stories of past residents.

About the Presenter: Mike Kissinger

Mike is a lifetime resident of the North Webster area and lives on the property that family acquired from the U.S. government in 1845. A 1979 graduate of Wawasee High School, he has worked in the County Surveyor’s Office for the past 41 years, Mike was licensed as a Professional Surveyor in 1999 and was selected as the County Surveyor when his friend & mentor, Richard Kemper, retired in 2015.

 

Friday, September 2- 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Reenacting Richard Stone’s Journal (1827-1842)

In 1827, as some of the first white settlers in Noble County, Richard Stone and his family set up a trading post at the junction of two highly traveled trails, known today as U.S. 33 & SR 5. The Indian village of Chiefs Papakeechie and Wawasee was just six miles away. Using Richard Stone’s journal, reenactor Jim Hossler will relate the life and times at the newly established trading post.

About the Presenter: Jim Hossler

Jim has lived in Noble County for the last 30 years. He has been a member of Stone’s Trace Historical Society for the last past 14 years, and the President for the last 9 years. Stone’s Trace is a historic site in Noble County that has restored Richard Stone’s tavern and three other pre-Civil War buildings. He and his wife, Pam, have five children and six grandchildren. He says “I’ve always enjoyed history, and I love teaching the kids and the people about Stone’s Trace.” Read more at www.stonestrace.com. A “Vintage Christmas” is planned for December 3, 1:00 –4:00pm. Jim owns and operates a small trucking company.

 

 

Saturday, September 3-  SIX individual programs are listed below 

Bring Your Own Artifact 10:00 – Noon /Led by Jim Bickel & Michelle Eddington

Do you have an old artifact that you aren’t sure what it is or when/where it originated? Jim and Michelle are available to examine your artifact and
(hopefully) tell you all about it.

Tribute to the Eastern Woodland Natives 10:00 – Noon /Led by Dan Lima, reenactor of Eastern Woodland Natives

Veteran reenactor Dan Lima will delight you with the lives of Potawatomi Chief Five Medals and Miami Chief Wawasee and his brother Chief
Papakeecha whose reservation was located near present-day Indian Village in Noble County.

 “Life and Times of Five Medals” discussion 10:00 – Noon  /Led by Mike Judson at WACF Amphitheater

Mike Judson, president of Five Medals Living History, Inc., will discuss the life and times of the Elkhart River Potawatomi Chief Wonongaseah (a.k.a. Five Medals).  Five Medals led his people in the defense of their homeland from the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794 to the War of 1812.

1774 French Marine 10:00 – Noon /Led by Joe Zdziebko

Joe Zdziebko, dressed as a 1750s French Marine will display and discuss his equipment, uniform, musket, furs, maps, etc. He will also talk about old
sayings that are still used today.

Flintknapping Hands-on Demonstration 10:00 – Noon /Led by Jeff Mesaros

Want to know how native American artifacts were made by hand? Jeff Mesaros will show you how. And here’s your chance to try making one!

Atlatl Weapon Demonstration 10:00 – Noon /Led by Jamie Clemons

The atlatl was a tool that uses leverage to achieve greater velocity in dart or spear-throwing and includes a bearing surface that allows the user to
store energy during the throw. Jamie will be demonstrating types from around the nation and allowing the public to participate with samples.

 

Details: www.facebook.com/ChautauquaWawasee or
www.syracusemuseum.org

by
2022 Cliff Kindy Workshop

2022 Cliff Kindy Workshop

2022 Cliff Kindy Workshop

What if Christians had the passion for peacekeeping that warriors have for war?
Participate in an evening with author and peace-seeker Cliff Kindy, an Indiana organic farmer.
Cliff will share about his many Christian Peacemaker Team journeys (Iraq, Sudan, Iran…), and how he became part of CPTs. The workshop will explore and discuss how Christians who are passionate about peace (everywhere) can pursue the vision of peacekeeping.  Cliff’s session promises to be eye-opening and extremely moving.

Cliff’s book Resurrection Peacemaking recounts his thirty years working with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), facing violent, unjust regimes in Iraq, Colombia, Israel/Palestine, Nigeria, Mexico, and other trouble spots around the world. Cliff and other CPT volunteers have repeatedly put their lives on the line as they chose to accompany targeted and beleaguered indigenous people who were striving to end violent occupation and warfare in their own lands.
This striving is not only for far-away peoples. It is for us.

Cliff says, “Why will people be willing to risk their lives to confront violence or injustice? For me, that willingness is grounded in the gospel story of Jesus’ resurrection. For others, it will be based in love and goodness. Nonviolence for me is powered by the spirit of resurrection on Easter; it topples empires. But it also exposes the practitioner to transformation; all parties are transformed, or better, ‘plowshared’. Are we willing to nurture our imaginations and take the risks required to replace violence with nonviolence? If so, how would this change America, in terms of policing, politics, wars, family disputes, mass killings, and criminal justice?”

What: Presentation/Discussion/Workshop
When: Sept 28, 6:30-8:30pm
Where: Oakwood Resort Event Center
Cost: Free– Please REGISTER HERE for this event

by

In Honor of the Fallen- Taps Across the Water Tribute

Over Memorial Day weekend, Chautauqua Wawasee and Syracuse American Legion Post 223 hosted the second annual “Taps Across the Water” to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.

The following local men gave the last full measure of devotion to our country:

 

Civil War:

Hiram Bonner, John Bonner, Joseph Clemens, George Epert, George Gordy, Thomas Orr, David Snyder, Andrew Tom, James Veneman, Andrew Maloy, and Cyrus Weaver

 

World War 1:

Phil Garriott, Hugh Sloan, Fred Smeltzer, Bryan Vanpherson, and John Wilbur Wilkinson.

 

World War 2:

Curtis Bushong, Ernest Miller, Charles LeCount, Robert LeCount, Richard Ruple, Edward Whirledge, and Paul Thomas Xanders.

 

Korean era:

Carlyle Bob Weaver.

 

Vietnam War:

Max Irwin Baer, Dennis Lee Brock, Robert Wayne Ellis, Jerry Denver Thomas, and Kenneth Eugene Willard.

 

Second Iraq war:

Jim Snyder.

 

…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg, November 19, 1863.

by

Thank you to our “little artists”!

We wanted to share this fun slideshow with you!

The kids had a great time making their very own art projects at the Oakwood Wawasee Fine Arts Festival this year!
We hope you enjoy this slideshow illustrating how very proud these young Picassos were.

 

 

 

by

Patriotic Pops Concert-The Tradition Continues 

Patriotic Pops Concert-The Tradition Continues

The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is returning to Syracuse after a one-year absence to perform the annual patriotic pops concert at Lake Wawasee on Sunday, June 26.   The concert is held outdoors on the lawn of Inn at Oakwood Resort.  

This concert is a celebration of the American Spirit, featuring songs such as Armed Forces Salute, Presidential Polonaise, Sing Out America and others, concluding with the 1812 Overture.  The public is invited to attend, bringing a chair or blanket, or anchor your boat near the beach at Oakwood Resort Inn. The Fort Wayne Philharmonic is led by Andrew Constantine, Music Director.

The whole family is invited.  The music starts at 7:30; come early to enjoy a balloon artist and face painting for children’s fun and entertainment.  Stop by the Chautauqua-Wawasee tent to receive a patriotic gift. 

This year’s concert is made possible by gifts from Kosciusko County Community Foundation, Steel Dynamics Foundation, Chautauqua-Wawasee, Wawasee Property Owners Association, Harkless Foundation, Judy Pursley, Jim & Kay Young, and Al Zacher. 

by
Then and Now

Lake Wawasee “Then and Now” Historical Cruise- September 29, 2022

Local historian Ann Garceau will narrate a Historical Cruise of Lake Wawasee aboard the SS Lillypad II

Chautauqua-Wawasee is repeating last year’s successful “Lake Wawasee, Then & Now” presentation by local historian Ann Garceau of the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum.

As Ann shares interesting stories about historic structures that stood around the lake, you will be able to better visualize them with the aid of a provided pamphlet, Then and Now, picturing what you are hearing about while enjoying what is built there now. Among places that Ann highlights will be the numerous hotels, marinas, entertainment venues, neighborhoods, and historic homes.

Date and time

Thu, September 29, 2022

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location

The Frog Tavern

1116 South Harkless Drive

Syracuse, IN 46567

This event will sell out so click HERE to purchase tickets now!

by