Becky Fox, left, was honored for her 14 years as Syracuse Lake Association president, with her own red canoe. A plaque and photo of the canoe’s location was presented by Renea Salyer, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — Plans to honor Becky Fox for her 14 years as Syracuse Lake Association president kept being interrupted by the coronavirus. But a surprise reception honoring her was finally pulled off Wednesday evening, Oct. 14, at the Channel Marker, Syracuse.

Little red paper canoes, filled with lifesavors and two oars recognizing Becky Fox, were featured on the tables at the reception honoring Fox.

Current and past board members, friends and people she has worked with during her term came to wish her well. The task of getting her to the event was not easy. John Earnest, who worked behind the scenes to make sure she was available, had told her she was needed at the monthly board meeting of SLA officers.

Earnest, president, noted the plans to honor her included a Lilly Pad cruise but that plan was locked down due to the virus. Another date was chosen in September but not only did Fox get locked down, so did Earnest. “We wanted to make sure we did something,” Earnest stated. “A lot of people and board members appreciate what you have done the last 14 years.”

Cindy Kaiser, board member, presented Fox with a cut glass platter honoring Fox for her years of leadership. The platter featured cattails, her name and years she served as president of the SLA.

While tears had begun to form in Fox’s eyes about the appreciation she was shown, the tears were evident after a presentation by Renae Salyer, executive director, Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce. Salyer raised the question of “what do you get Becky Fox?” She answered that question by presenting Fox with a plaque to be placed on her own red canoe. The canoe has been placed at the Municipal Pier. “I was going to buy one,” Fox exclaimed, wiping away the tears of joy from her eyes.

John Earnest, right, greets Becky Fox when she arrived for a surprise reception in honor of her 14 years as SLA president.

She was also given a photograph of the canoe at its location during a morning sunrise.

“It was fun,” Fox stated in a brief speech. “I had a great group to work with, what I told them, they did. The best thing was we needed two new piers at the boat launch. I told the board to call a number as many times as they could to get the guy’s attention.” The result was two new piers, a handicapped pier and repair of the ramp. “It turned out to be lovely,” she stated. “That’s why there is a lot more boats.”

Fox recalled growing up on Lake Wawasee since the age of 2. The family home on Hatchery Road was purchased for $2,000. But after she was married and started a family, it was felt they needed to move. The Fox family moved to Syracuse Lake which was not as big and not as busy. “I’ve loved every minute in Syracuse. If you live on Syracuse Lake, it’s a great lake with lots of great people. You get to know people.”

Before returning to a night of celebration, Earnest gave an update on work at the Turkey Creek Flood Control device, noting dredging is expected by the end of October or first of November. He also noted a hearing has been set in Kosciusko Circuit Court for the formation of the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy in December and by the end of the year the conservancy will be established.