Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee discussed the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Conklin Bay project at the Monday night, July 20, meeting.

An update on the new project was also discussed. Minor issues are still being addressed. Selge Construction was on-site last week to follow up. Erlene Yentes, executive director, updated the committee that educational signs are located along the trail.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee meeting was held Monday night, June 15. An update on the Conklin Bay project was discussed. A final walk through May 15 went well with minor issues being addressed.

By Phoebe Muthart InkFreeNews SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee conducted a virtual Zoom meeting Monday night, May 18. An update on the new Conklin Bay project was given. Selge Construction completed the project last Wednesday, May 13. A final walk-through was last Friday, May 15, and went well with minor issues to address. Erlene Yentes, …read more.

By Phoebe Muthart InkFreeNews SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee had its monthly meeting Monday night, April 20, via Zoom. An update on the Conklin Bay project was discussed. The concrete work is almost complete and the asphalt work started this week. Work continues on the railings. A completion date for the Conklin Bay project is …read more.

Whitley County Government Whitley County offices will remain open for the time being, according to a news release issued late Tuesday, March 24. After reviewing Gov. Eric Holcomb’s Executive Order 02-08, the Whitley County Commissioners have determined all county departments are considered essential government functions and will remain operational as of this time, the county …read more.

WARSAW — The Kosciusko County Convention, Recreation and Vistors Commission denied a grant request from the City-County Athletic Complex at its meeting Wednesday morning, Jan. 7. The commission denied a $62,988 grant proposal from the City-County Athletic Complex. The funds would have gone toward the construction of new restrooms on the east side of the …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse/Wawasee Trails Committee announces the hiring of a new executive director. Erlene Yentes will be starting her duties Dec. 2. Yentes has experience in working with not for profits and grant writing and is an avid user of trails. With the planning and now construction of the Conklin Bay trail segment underway the …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard updates on the new Conklin Bay boardwalk and SR 13 trail project at its meeting Monday, Oct. 28. Two of the contractors working on the current project attended the meeting. Christian Baybutt from Selge Construction and George Trueblood of Earth Source Inc. were at Monday night’s meeting. They gave …read more.

SYRACUSE — Several new trail projects, hiring a new director and May’s financial report were the main topics of discussion at Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee meeting Monday, June 17. With the resignation of the former director, Megan McClellan, the committee discussed hiring a new leader. Applications and resumes are now being accepted for the position of …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee Executive Director Megan McClellan announced her resignation Wednesday, May 29, after serving nearly five years. She has accepted a job as Fort Wayne Trails director starting in June. Coinciding with McClellan’s departure is the groundbreaking ceremony for the Conklin Bay trail, a project she worked on for much of her time …read more.

KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — As the weather begins to turn warmer, one way to get and stay motivated to get moving is the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails’ Couch to 5K program. Kosciusko County YMCA also presents a variety of programs to keep people moving.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Education Center will come alive with activity for people of all ages Saturday, April 27, as it hosts its annual Earth Day celebration. Activities are planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The celebration event and all activities are free to those who stop in at the center, located …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation Trails Committee Executive Director Megan McClellan kicked off the committee’s April 15 meeting with news of an award she received on behalf of SWTC from Greenways Foundation of Indiana naming Syracuse-Webster Road Trail “outstanding trail project.” Though it is relatively short, the trail has “high impact,” said McClellan, connecting high numbers …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee held its regular monthly meeting Monday evening, March 18. Attendees heard reports on the activities of two subcommittees: New trails, which is researching future trail projects; and development, dedicated to fundraising. Executive Director Megan McClellan also announced March’s volunteer of the month, Tony Pawlicki. McClellan has been uploading data to Bloomerang, …read more.

SYRACUSE — At the monthly meeting of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee Monday, Nov. 19, Executive Director Megan McClellan informed members the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation doubled its previous $150,000 grant to the Conklin Bay trail construction project, bringing its total donation to $300,000. The endowment comes in response to higher than expected costs, roughly $2 million …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails held the fall version of the Tails and Trails dog walk Saturday, Oct. 27, in Syracuse. The five-mile walk around Syracuse Lake, a fundraiser for Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, began at the Syracuse Community Center. In addition to the walk, there were vendors, food, an auction and a dog costume contest. Dog rescue …read more.

SYRACUSE — A majority of the Monday, Oct. 15, Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting centered on discussing the Conklin Bay project. Among the topics discussed included Conklin Bay naming rights and donor recognition. Among the options are a donor wall, plaques and bricks. Executive Director Megan McClellan will send a letter to all the people who …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Conklin Bay boardwalk and trail project is moving along, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard at its meeting Monday, Sept. 24. There was a pre-bid meeting Thursday, Sept. 13. There are four companies interested in bidding as general contractor, as well as 11 bidding the boardwalk portion, and four bidding the concrete portion to …read more.

SYRACUSE — Work on the new Syracuse-Webster Road Trail began this week, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard Monday evening, July 16. Work on the new trail is occurring on the south end of the new trail first. The work began Tuesday, July 17. Several stakes have been installed along the trail’s route. However, stressed Executive …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee addressed several projects at its Monday, June 18, meeting. An update on the new brochures were discussed. Two pictures were shown for the cover of the brochure, and the committee will need about 1,000 copies. Angie Racolta, a committee member, is spearheading the project for the brochures that will state …read more.

SYRACUSE — The sun was shining for the third Tails and Trails event in Syracuse, today, April 28. The event was hosted by the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee to kick off the 2018 trail season. Megan McClellan, executive director, welcomed the participants to this year’s event. The route was a five-mile walk around Syracuse Lake on …read more.

SYRACUSE — Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation, SR 13, Syracuse, will host its third annual Earth Day Festival Saturday, April 21. The event, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will take place at the WACF Levinson-LaBrosse Educational Center. This year’s theme is plastics. The first 200 families attending will get a free re-usable grocery bag. It …read more.

SYRACUSE — The latest construction projects being organized by the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee were heard at the Monday night, April 16, meeting. Funding for the Conklin Bay Trail and boardwalk project is moving forward. So far, $671,404.36 has been raised. “We’ve matched $66,000 from the Dekko Foundation,” said Megan McClellan, executive director. “We need $44,000 …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee received a $150,000 donation from the Ruth Lilly Philanthropic Foundation. This donation will be put toward the construction of the boardwalk and trail connecting Syracuse and the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation. Many years ago, the Lilly family was instrumental in getting Syracuse on the right path with trails. A section …read more.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse-Webster Road trail project is moving along, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard at its meeting Monday evening, Jan. 29. Kosciusko County Highway Department has given preliminary approval for this trail section, including moving the trail next to the road and curbing it in order to avoid the arbor vitae. Megan McClellan, trail …read more.

SYRACUSE — Plans continue to move forward for the Syracuse-Webster Road Trail project, Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard Monday, Oct. 16. The trail will be less than a mile long and will start at Wawasee High School and end at Brook Pointe Inn. The trail will be on the west side of the road, mostly due …read more.

SYRACUSE — An Eagle Scout project was presented at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Monday, Aug. 21. Carter Bowman, an Eagle Scout, is a Wawasee High School sophomore. He will be installing mileage markers around the Syracuse Lake trail. The markers will be installed one every quarter mile for 5 miles around Syracuse Lake. The …read more.

SYRACUSE — The proposed Syracuse-Webster Road trail was discussed at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Monday, June 19. Megan McClellan, executive director, and Ben Plikerd, owner of Brook Pointe Inn, talked to the Kosciusko County Highway Department about permitting for the trail along the west side of the road. The county wants the plans to …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse Parks & Recreation Department is hosting Touch-A-Truck from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 6, at the Syracuse Community Center, North Long Drive. This hands-on event will provide kids with the opportunity to see, touch and explore their favorite big trucks, heavy equipment and emergency vehicles as well as interact with community support leaders who operate them.

SYRACUSE — Have some fun with outdoor activities and learning about lake health during this year’s Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Earth Day Festival. The event, free of charge, will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 22, at the Levinson-LaBrosse Lakes & Wetlands Education Center, one mile south of Syracuse on SR 13. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation has received a permit to construct the boardwalk across the Conklin Bay wetlands and a trail parallel to SR 13 to Grandview Drive. Notification of a permit approval for the trail was approved by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, Friday, Dec. 30. The permit is valid …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce and the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails cut the ribbon for their move to their new location at Pickwick Plaza next to the Waterlily Art Gallery, located at 108 N. Huntington St., Suite 4.

SYRACUSE — Insurance, grants and flooding issues dominated much of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee meeting Monday evening, Sept. 19. The meeting was held at its new office in downtown Syracuse. Megan McClellan, executive director, has applied for or will apply for nine grants totaling $1.1 million. One grant could come from State Farm for $25,000. …read more.

SYRACUSE — Syracuse-Wawasee Trail Committee heard Monday, Aug. 15, the Eli Lily Road widening project is nearly completed. Megan McClellan, director, said the cost of the project increased but she is still continuing to get donations. “It looks good. It’s done and drainage is in,” she said. “It looks fantastic.” Pulver Asphalt and Paving are …read more.

SYRACUSE — More than 30 cars were on display at the the first inaugural car show, hosted by Oakwood Resort and Syracuse-Wawasee Parks Foundation, Sunday, July 24. The turn out was better than expected, said event organizers. “We are really surprised at the turnout,” said J.R. Parent, owner of Oakwood Resort. The car show was …read more.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Park Foundation accepted a motion to find bids and information for liability insurance to cover the eight plus miles of Syracuse-Wawasee trails.

  SYRACUSE — Mother Nature decided not to cooperate, bringing cool temperatures and rain to the area this weekend. The Syracuse Parks and Recreation Department hosted its fourth annual Kids Safety Day Saturday, April 30,hoping the rain would stay away. Participating agencies and organizations included Syracuse Lions Club, Red Cross Disaster Action Team, Camp Mack, …read more.

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana Humanities is launching “Next Indiana Campfires,” a series that pairs literature and nature to help Hoosiers explore Indiana’s wild places and spark conversations about conservation and stewardship. The May 4 kickoff event will feature a conversation between environmental authors Terry Tempest Williams and Scott Russell Sanders at the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art. It will start at 6:30 p.m.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee has received a preliminary estimate for the cost to construct a nearly one-mile long trail segment that will include a boardwalk across the Conklin Bay wetlands and a trail parallel to SR 13, to Grandview Drive. The vision of the committee is to have trails connecting communities around Syracuse …read more.

SYRACUSE — The MutualBank team of Syracuse is inviting the public to attend the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce Business-After-Hours event, held at the Syracuse Community Center, 1013 N. Long Drive.

SYRACUSE — Judges came out Oct. 24 to judge the many creative lamppost displays produced by local businesses and organizations for the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce’s annual contest.

NORTH WEBSTER — Susan Todd, organizer of Saturday night’s fundraising event for Syracuse-Wawasee Trails at North Webster Community Center gym, took the old saying, “The show must go on”, to heart when she was informed the headliners’, The Gatlins, cancellation. Darryl Gatlin, the country half of the country/opera duo originally scheduled to perform, had been …read more.

Two major sections of the trail system were discussed at the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee meeting Monday, Aug. 17.

NORTH WEBSTER — Darryl and Andrea Gatlin are returning to North Webster for repeat performance to raise funds for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails. The duo will be at the North Webster Community Center’s gym Saturday, Aug. 29. The evening will begin with cocktails from 5-6 p.m. with dinner at 6 p.m. The Gatlin Show will begin …read more.

[weaver_youtube iDQhOFynyFw rel=0]   SYRACUSE — Richard Green, Syracuse, was the latest resident to receive the Wawasee Property Owner’s Association’s Chief Award presented at its annual meeting. The meeting was held Saturday evening, Aug 8, at the Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation’s Educational Center, Syracuse. Green, who was present with his wife, Sandy and son and …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting Wednesday, July 29, for its new location, which is shares with Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, at 108 E. Main St., Syracuse, in the former Leisure Pool building.

The annual Wawasee Property Owners Association and Syracuse Lake Association Family Breakfast is an opportunity for neighbors to meet neighbors, renew friendships, make new friends and learn about various non-profit organizations in the area. This year’s event was held Saturday morning at Oakwood Resort, Syracuse. Non-profit agencies such as the WPOA, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails, Syracuse-Wawasee Garden …read more.

[weaver_youtube ycm7aPBxVTM rel=8]   The number of Wawasee Property Owners Association Board Members was higher than the public attending at the annual public WPOA board meeting this morning, Saturday, June 13, at Oakwood Resort, Syracuse. The actual board meeting was kept brief to hear from Megan McClellan, executive director of Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee, and Ann …read more.

Wawasee Property Owners Association will be hosting two events in the next several weeks. Megan McClellan, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee and Ann Garceau, author, will be speakers at the WPOA annual public board meeting Saturday, June. 13. The meeting, starting at 9 a.m. will be held at Oakwood Resort, Syracuse. Garceau will …read more.

Syracuse-Wawasee Trails will be hosting its first spring event from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Originally slated for Saturday, Syracuse-Wawasee Trails director Megan McClellan decided to move the event due to the weather conditions in the forecast for Saturday. Tails and Trails is the first of many scheduled dog walks on the newly completed …read more.

  By TYLER MCLEAD Program Director, Syracuse Parks And Recreation Syracuse Parks Department is hosting its Third Annual Kids Safety Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at the Syracuse Community Center, North Long Drive. This annual event is designed to educate kids on how to stay safe in a variety of …read more.

Following the annual Easter egg hunt held Saturday morning at the Syracuse Community Center, the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee held their own welcoming of Spring rite with a ribbon cutting ceremony for the loop trail around Syracuse Lake. The event coincided with the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s designated “Opening Day for Trails.” According to Megan McClellan, executive director …read more.

The Syracuse-Wawasee Trails Committee installed 27 signs recently along portions of the trail, it was mentioned at Monday night’s meeting. The signs were installed starting at Eastshore Drive, going down Pickwick Drive to Cornelius, Harkless Drive up to the high school and to the tracks at Main Street. Ten more signs are needed. Each sign …read more.

[weaver_youtube -HsbmLINh30 rel=0]     Is your music favorite Country? Rock? Pop? Heavy Metal? Opera? Darryl and Andrea Gatlin can sing any genre of music. That’s what those attending The Gatlin Show at the North Webster Community center discovered Saturday evening. The event, organized by Susan Todd, was a fundraiser for the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails. Many …read more.

“Making Syracuse Lake Clean, Healthy, Safe and Beautiful” was the topic presented by Dr. Nate Bosch, director of the Center for Lakes and Streams and assistant professor of environmental science at Grace College. Bosch’s presentation was made during the annual Syracuse Lake Association Annual Breakfast Meeting held Saturday. Megan McClellan, new executive director of Syracuse-Wawasee …read more.

A memorial bench in honor of Dave Lichtenauer was opened for public use last Saturday in Syracuse. It was a gift to the Syracuse-Wawasee Trails and sets on the boardwalk along Pickwick Drive. Made in Syracuse by Poly-wood Inc. and obtained through the local furniture store, The Living Quarters, the bench overlooks Mud Lake marsh. …read more.

“I’m just a little overwhelmed,” commented Dave Grandstaff when he received the annual Wawasee Property Owners Association Chief Award Saturday morning. The award was presented at the annual WPOA meeting. He admitted he didn’t realize he was the recipient until mention was made regarding his grandchildren and great-grandchild. WPOA President Kay Young presented the award …read more.