Pam and Kip Schumm, pose with their grandson Ethan Stetz, 2, and Renea Salyer, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, in front of the red canoe that was placed across from the Syracuse library in honor of Kip’s recent retirement from The Papers, Inc. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.

By Keith Knepp
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Lifetime Syracuse resident Kip Schumm was honored by his family Friday night with the official dedication of a red canoe featuring an engraved placard commemorating his recent retirement. The canoe honoring Schumm was installed at the site of the old Syracuse School, across from the Syracuse library. Schumm served as the director of marketing at The Papers, Inc., the parent company of InkFreeNews.com, for many years until his retirement on Aug. 31.

The canoe is one of five that have recently been installed throughout town by the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce as part of the Red Canoe Fund. Each one honors different individuals or businesses that are hallmarks of the community. According to the Chamber’s Executive Director Renea Salyer, they currently have three more canoes that are ready to be sponsored and installed.

The project began early this summer, according to Salyer. The Chamber raised money for the project and the canoes were donated to the cause. Resident Larry Leek also volunteered to paint each canoe bright red.

“Pam chose the location for Kip’s canoe because it was in a highly visible area across from the library and, of course, it is just down the street from The Papers’ office,” Salyer added. “The canoes fit in well with our community. We had been wanting to do a beautification project to honor people and organizations.”

“I am honored,” said Schumm. “It was a nice gift from my family in honor of my retirement from The Papers.”

The canoes will be filled with various seasonal plants and flowers that will change throughout the year. Anyone interested in making a donation to the project or sponsoring a canoe in memory or honor of a loved one is invited to call the Chamber at (574) 457-5637, or email [email protected].

A placard honoring Syracuse resident Kip Schumm can be seen on the red canoe across from the Syracuse library. InkFreeNews photo by Keith Knepp.