Terry White, Winona Art Commission member, speaks to the Winona Lake Town Council Tuesday. Pictured sitting is Holly Hummitch, parks department/senior center director. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union.

By Jackie Gorski
Times-Union

WINONA LAKE — Winona Lake Town Council gave permission to the Winona Art Commission, Tuesday, June 17, to fundraise to put statues at the trailhead entrance off Boys City Drive.

Terry White, Winona Art Commission member, said the project he was there to talk about “highlights a very important aspect of Winona Lake’s history, the Chicago Boys Club.

“We are proposing — and we ask the council for a motion and positive vote — to authorize a fundraising campaign that will lead to the placement of four bronze statues of children, one on each of the concrete pedestals that guard the greenway trailhead entrance off Boys City Drive into the Chicago Boys Club property,” he said.

The commission has located a foundry, Metropolitan Bronze Company in Chicago, which manufactures 45-inch-tall bronze statues of children in various sporting activities like those that were part of the Boys Club programs.

“We will try to choose statues with no thin or extended limbs, so as to lessen the likelihood of damage from weather or vandals,” White said. The commission has worked with Graycraft Signs to craft a permanent explanatory plaque.

The projected wording on the plaque will say include a brief history of the Chicago Boys Club.White said, “Because the trailhead is on private property, we have consulted with the owner, Mrs. Mary Louise Miller, explaining and discussing the project in detail. She appreciates keeping the area in tune with the history, and she also likes the statues we are considering. Trusting that the sculptures and signs will be well made and maintained, we have her full approval to proceed with the project. She says she is looking forward to seeing the completion.”

White said the entire project can be completed for under $20,000 and that includes all four statues, delivery and creation and installation of the plaque.

“The only thing we ask of the town staff is just securing each of the four statues to the concrete bases, similar to what they have done with our previous art installations,” White said.

Council President Ashley McGinnis asked if there was a plan for fundraising. White said it is the same as past projects, through private donors and foundations.

Councilman Barry Andrew asked if the funding is run through the town. White said donors give their checks to the town. White asked for permission to go ahead with a fundraising campaign, which will lead to the acquisition and installation of the statues.

In other business, the council:• Approved putting on a town auction.

• Heard about Winona Happenings. At 8 a.m. Saturday is the Optimist Triathalon. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday is the Farmers Market at Winona. At 8 p.m. June 27 is a flotilla/evening cruise.

At 9 a.m. June 28 is the myTeam Triumph 5K at Limitless Park. Also on June 28 is the Fourth of July celebration. At 1 p.m., vendors will be at Limitless Park. There will be a parade at 5 p.m. From 5 to 9 p.m., there will be events at Limitless Park. At 6 p.m. parade awards will be given out at Limitless Park. At 8 p.m., there will be a patriotic concert at Miller Sunset Pavilion. At 10 p.m., there will be fireworks over Winona Lake.

• Approved an agreement to invest money with the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation for a year.

Andrew and Councilman Jason Zaugg voted against it based on Clerk-Treasurer Heather James’ recommendation to put the money in the 2026 budget and look at the agreement in January