The memorial red canoe at the intersection of Indiana Street and Huntington Avenue is the fifth of 11 to be placed by Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, but the eighth to be dedicated in a short ceremony on Friday, June 4. Pictured are Connie Anthony, left, who donated the canoe in honor of her late father, Bill Pfefferle, a World War II veteran; and Renae Salyer, the chamber’s executive director. The project is funded by SWCC Foundation. Photo by Ray Balogh.

By Ray Balogh
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — On a hot, sunny afternoon Friday, June 4, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce dedicated the eighth of 11 flower-laden red canoes to beautify the city in a project funded by SWCC Foundation.

The canoe rests in a landscaped base of stones located north of town at the intersection of Indiana Street and Huntington Avenue.

Renae Salyer, executive director of the chamber, and Syracuse resident Connie Anthony, who donated the 16-foot canoe that belonged to her late father, Bill Pfefferle, were on hand for the dedication.

“I donated the canoe to memorialize my dad, who was a World War II veteran,” said Anthony.

“It is actually dedicated to all World War II vets.”

A gold-colored plaque riveted to the canoe commemorates Anthony’s sentiments.

The canoe was actually christened

No. 5, as it was the fifth to be installed, in the fall of 2020. Salyer said the first canoe was donated by Roxann Arnott in memory of one of her friends and was placed last spring at the welcome sign at the southern city limit on SR 13.

Two more canoes are expected to be placed by the end of June and the last should complete the project in July.

The canoes are filled with petunias and diamond frost flowers designed to approximate the red, white and blue of the American flag. “The white diamond frosts are put in so they look like the stars on the flag,” said Salyer.

The city’s parks department is helping water the plants and “a lot of volunteers” are keeping an eye on the memorials “to help make Syracuse more inviting,” according to Salyer.

For more information, call (574) 457-5637 or visit www.swchamber.com or www.www.facebook.com/swchamberoc.