Holly and Tom Tuttle, who have served on the Wawasee Flotilla Committee for more than 21 years, and who have been active and supporters of events in the community, have been named the 2019 co-commodores for the 2019 Wawasee Flotilla. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

SYRACUSE — “It is quite an honor to be chosen,” said Tom Tuttle. “We are humbled and honored to have been chosen as the 2019 co-commodores,” added his wife, Holly.

Tom and Holly Tuttle were named the 2019 commodores by the Wawasee Flotilla Commodore selection committee. The couple will lead this year’s Flotilla Saturday, July 6.

The commodore is chosen each year based upon many criteria that includes a long history of community service, an impact on the local economy and a love of the lake. Bill McCully, committee member, stated “As we discussed what makes the best choice of a commodore, it became obvious the best choice was actually right there among us on the committee. There is no question that Holly and Tom Tuttle epitomized the selection criteria. From my 62 years on the lake, I can think of no one who has had more of a sustained impact on the quality of life at Lake Wawasee and in the Syracuse community.”

Initial reluctance was given by the Tuttles, who currently serve on the committee. “As the rest of the committee was in full agreement, we are delighted they have agreed to serve as the 2019 Wawasee Flotilla co-commodores,” stated Lisa Hill, committee vice chairwoman.

“Shortly after Tom and I married, over 21 years ago, we were asked by the Coles and Beechys to join the Flotilla Committee,” said Holly Tuttle. “Little did we know then, we would still be on the committee, keeping this lake tradition alive.”

Holly Tuttle has served on the Kosciusko County Red Cross as an executive committee member emeritus, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation Board of Directors, is a past Affiliate of The Year for the Kosciusko Board of Realtors, committee member emeritus of the Kosciusko County Literacy Foundation; president for many years of Women of Today, past treasurer of Wawasee Middle School PTO and the Lake Wawasee Flotilla Committee, serving as chairwoman for a number of years.

Tom Tuttle has served as past chairman of the Cancer Care Fund of Kosciusko County, Kosciusko County Red Cross executive committee member emeritus, Wawasee Area Conservancy Foundation committee member emeritus, Kosciusko Board of Realtors golf committee chairman and is a past Affiliate of the Year recipient, past committee member of the Kosciusko County Literacy Foundation; executive committee member of the Wawasee Property Owners Association; past executive board of directors member of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce and Lake Wawasee Flotilla Committee.

The Tuttles were named the 2018 Wawasee Property Owners Association Chief Award recipients. The couple, who own Team Tuttle Mortgage, has and does sponsor and support numerous local charities.

The 2019 theme is “Collegiate Spirit!” providing everyone in the lakes community an opportunity to show pride in their favorite school. Organizers expect to see creative displays honoring big schools like Indiana University, Purdue, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan and smaller schools like Wabash, DePauw and Valparaiso.

Participants will be gathering in front of the Wawasee Spink Condominiums at 11 a.m. with the parade to begin at 11:30 a.m. and move counterclockwise around the lake. This is the 58th Wawasee Flotilla parade.