Cottage Tour volunteers, from left, are Deb Showley, Angie and Shelby Hartley, Natalie Fierek, Murray & Penny Bartel, Lila Fierek, Rachel Sweatland, Jan Zolman and Eileen Oaks.

WINONA LAKE — Blue skies and a crisp late-summer day set the scene as 22 boats filled with eager participants took to the lake for the first Winona Lake Cottage Tour fundraiser benefitting The Watershed Foundation on Saturday, Sept. 9.

The tour is one of many events put on by TWF to raise funds and awareness for our lakes. “There’s a special community created by the lakes,” said Lyn Crighton, TWF executive director. “This event brings people together and represents lake life to the fullest!”

The tour featured six houses generously opened for the day. Randy and Linda Kirkendall’s home featured spectacular views from every room- and is currently on the market. Mary Louise Miller’s home transported visitors to an Old English Country Manor, complete with two conservatories. The adorable internet and cable-free cottage of Dr. Steve and Jennifer Hollar is a refuge for the family for relaxation and rejuvenation. Steve and Paula Heckman’s home featured a screened-in two-story porch with beautiful views, where they connect with Winona Lake friends for five months each year. Apart from being a beautiful family home, one of the unique features of Jonathan and Sea Grandon’s home is the contemporary art collection of internationally acclaimed and emerging artists. Dr. Aron and Robin Dellinger’s home is full of vibrant colors and patterns that reflect the lake, and give their family a summer retreat.

TWF Board President Dr. Terry Frederick commented on the day, saying, “We had a fantastic day on Winona Lake with some beautiful homes to tour. Everything was near perfect from start to finish and everything in between. Thank you for all your hard work creating a wonderful experience for all. We had a great time!”

The tour engaged over 290 volunteers, participants, and sponsors who helped make the day a success! Special thanks to our four Marquee Sponsors, Main Channel Marina, The Village at Winona, Cerulean & The Garden.

Earlier this year, TWF hosted a similar tour on Lake Tippecanoe and raised $28,583. The tour of Winona Lake similarly brought in $24,740 in tickets sales, sponsorships, and the Lakeside Luau auction at The Garden, with 25 items including an original painting by Terry Armstrong. All proceeds from these events benefit water quality in our

local lakes and waterways. TWF takes action for healthy lakes through education, permanent pollution-reduction projects, landowner initiatives and partnerships.

TWF was founded in 1997 to protect and improve water quality in the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed; spanning from Crooked Lake in Whitley County to the Warsaw-Winona area. Over the past 20 years, TWF has worked with farmers and lake residents to implement over 200 water quality improvement projects. In the last four years alone, these efforts have prevented over 815 million pounds of weeds and algae from growing in area lakes and streams.

Enjoying the Lakeside Luau at The Garden, from left, are Kelsi Griffith, Mallery
Pierce, Alex Hall, Sue and Terry Frederick.