VOLUNTEER | CONTACT | DONATE clearlakeconservancy.org or call (260) 527-1072

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | ISSUE NO.39CLEARLAKECONSERVANCY.ORG

CLEAR THINKINGO U R L E T T E R

Bridget HarrisonExecutive Director

Tracy HughesProgram Assistant

Elizabeth StrickLand Steward

Karen Horrell President

Dan Rippe Vice President

Bruce Matasick Secretary

Terry Newcomb Treasurer

Development

Executive

Finance

Lands

Outreach & Education

Water Quality

2021 STAFF

2021 BOARD

COMMITTEES

Karen HorrellPresident

Bridget HarrisonExecutive Director

Brandy Brown

Bill Culbertson

Zach Dean

Bill Geiger

Bill Greffin

Katy Hoehn

Doug Mulvaney

Laurie Sellers

Nancy Webster

MAKING IT HAPPEN “Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, and others make it happen.” - MICHAEL JORDAN

Part of the magic of Clear Lake is that many people don’t just want and wish, they make things happen. As another beautiful summer season closes, we have exciting stories to tell about how the community and the Conservancy work together so that future generations will enjoy what we love today.

Water is first. The aquatic survey needed to begin treatment of the non-native aquatic plant invasion identified last summer was launched. Results and treatment options will be shared in a Fall public meeting as we set potential treatments for this nuisance and seek funding. This is a 2022 priority. Community support is critical.

Three key projects wrapped up this summer. The Cyrus Brouse (CB) Clean Stream Project at Settlers Wetland Nature Preserve is now finished and hard at work to reduce sediment otherwise headed to Clear Lake through the CB Ditch. The Kasota Island re-landscaping is complete, with another 20 trees planted in this much-visited preserve. Finally, we celebrated the grand opening of the walking trails at Brennan Woods. All three projects were multi-year efforts and arose from the long-term vision of volunteers, staff and funders. What a great ending for these stories!

One of our favorite stories is about celebrating our 30th Anniversary with the Clear & Healthy (C&H) events and monthly eBlasts recalling accomplishments over these 30 years. The C&H program involved 103 participants in dozens of activities and raised over $45,000 for the Conservancy’s mission! Many of you also responded to the 30th Anniversary Appeal letter with generous donations. These two summer events netted roughly $65,000 for the Conservancy’s work. Wow and thank you!

We value all our volunteers but especially appreciate our Development Committee chaired by Nancy Webster, our Steering Committee and our hard-working staff for the C&H success. Our mission lives through the day-to-day work we do preserving, protecting and educating about our natural environment. These funds are vital in maintaining what you see and love.

The 2021 Annual Meeting was held in July at the Clear Lake Lutheran Church Pavilion. About 20 community members attended for an update on Conservancy committee work, projects and plans. Bill Culbertson was elected to the Board and we thanked retiring member Brenda Elliott for her service over the past three years. Both Bill and Brenda are active on the Outreach & Education Committee. Committees are truly “where it happens” for the Conservancy. We invite you to join any committee that interests you.

We’ve been part of 30 summers with the Clear Lake community. With your support, we’ll continue to make things happen for future summers.FIND YELLOW CONEFLOWERS AT

SPANGLER GROVE AND CLEAR LAKE NATURE PRESERVE

Barefoot Cellars

Bike & Soul

California Yoga

Core Promo

Dairy Queen

Don Ayres Honda

GW’s Butcher Block

Kasota Sports

Libby’s

Pizza King

Satek Winery

Sutton’s Deli

The Boathouse Boutique

The Hangout

The Mill District

The Sante Group Inc.

Wayside Furniture

*TEAM SOLOLaurie “Tivia” Britton

Brandy Brown

Judy Greffin

Katy Hoehn

Alex Miller

Elizabeth Siferd

Lori Wagner

Carol Wheeler

Heather Wilson

Amy Wirtz

TEAM BALLCAPTAIN - BARB WENGERJim Bushey

Jim Horein

Lisa Lindsey

Jeanne Loughery

Jan Matasick

Julie Monson

Michael O’Neil

Suzy Rice

Bob Webster

Barb Wenger

TEAM FOOTCAPTAIN - ALISON RHINEHARTKaren Bushey

Kable Derrow

Charmaine Ekroth

Brenda & Bert Elliott

Bill Hanna

Karen Horrell

Sue Korte

Alan Korte

Lucas Larson

Rachael Mou-Thiel

Terry Newcomb

Koggy Newcomb

Angie O’Neill

Alison Rhinehart

Lindsey Ruszkowski

Elizabeth Strick

Nathan Striker

Nancy Webster

John Wilhelm

Kristina Zelt

TEAM PLAYCAPTAIN - JONATHAN MOSSPaulene Edwards

Bella Hanna

Sara High

Annie Hughes

Tracy Hughes

Brian Koester

Julian Lavelle

Bridget McArdle

Trey McArdle

Jon Moss

Jonathan Moss

Megan Moss

Michael Moss

Patrick Moss

Lizzy Moss

Matthew Place

TEAM RELAXDave Drogos

Bill Greffin

Jerry Hoopfer

Kim McCarty

Danielle Nicol

Erica Peyer

Barbara Rumsey

TEAM WATERZachary Dean

Bridget Harrison

Don Luepke

Dorian Maples

Rick Maples

Cole Russert

TEAM WHEELCAPTAIN - CATHY JOHNSTONTereasa Gay

Tara Hanson

Holley Horrell

Cathy Johnston

Rick Johnston

Nick Johnston

Kelby Johnston

Larry Koesters

LuAnn McArdle

Tim McArdle

Doug Mulvaney

Lona Pritchard

Laurie Sellers

Mitch Stein

David Stein

Stephanie Stein

Julian Tait

Kristin Tait

Claire Timmer

Brian Villa

Elizabeth Villa

TEAM WINDCAPTAIN - CHRIS HUGHESEddie Hughes

Chris Hughes

Mike Kellermeier

Chad Korte

Bruce Matasick

Tom McArdle

TEAM WORDNancy Brennan

Maggie Brennan

Evelyn Hughes

Elle Koesters

Diane McArdle

Jessica Sattison

TOP FUNDRAISERSNancy Brennan – Nancy raised $1,325 for the Conservancy while also being a lead participant on Team Word! “The Clear and Healthy Event really motivated me to be active every single day of the challenge, even on days I did not want to walk, I walked!” says Nancy. 

Lona Pritchard – Lona raised $1,025 to support the Conservancy!

TOP POINT EARNERS Jonathan Moss – As the fearless leader of Team Play, Jonathan helped his team earn a total of 98,925 points to claim the overall team

victory! Congratulations Team Play!

Danielle Nicol – Danielle earned the maximum points possible of 9,000 with her daily hustle!

TOP PARTICIPANTS (COMBINED EFFORT FOR POINTS & FUNDRAISING) Claire Timmer – Claire earned 8,900 points on Team Wheel and raised over $500!

Don Luepke – Don earned 8,700 points and raised over $400 by swimming 30 miles in honor of the Conservancy’s 30th year!

GOLD SILVER BRONZE

We couldn’t have done it without our fabulous Steering Committee, Nancy Webster (chair), Zach Dean, Cathy Johnston, Alison Rhinehart, Barbara Rumsey, and Barb Wenger, who helped in the planning and testing phases of this unique event and supported us every step of the way in joining the challenge and donating their hustle!

CLEAR & HEALTHY THANK YOU TO

OUR SPONSORS & PARTICIPANTS!

IN-KIND EVENT SPONSORS

EVENT SPONSORS

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNERS!

PARTICIPANTS

VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

CLEAR THINKING / SEPTEMBER 2021

Anonymous

Aster A

Beth and Dale Aeschliman

Joyce Augspurger

Shannon and Toby Balser

David and Melodye Barron

David Bauerle

Norbert and Judy Bauman

Kim and Tim Bennett

William and Carol Berning

Dwight and Carol Bieberich

Amy Bjarnason

Pat and Dave Blakeslee

Ann Brennan

Beth Brennan

Kathleen Brennan

Nancy Brennan

Brandy and Eric Brown

Sheila and Scott Brown

Terry and Rita Brown

Jim and Karen Bushey

Judi Carney

Linda Christianson

Mike and Joy Connell

Tai Cornute

Martha Cummings

John Curin and Colleen Barry

Bev Cutler

Louisiana Cutler

Zachary Dean

Kelly and Randi Disser

Donald and Brook Dresser

Alex Duncan

Sally Eckrich

Jim and Joan Eckstein

Char and Rob Ekroth

Scott Ekroth

Bert and Brenda Elliott

Marty and Jean Erlenbaugh

Jim Geiger

Alli Gerbers

C.J. Getz and Laura Szynal

Grant Good

Judy and Bill Greffin

Patty Griest

Ruth Grimm

Bridget Harrison and Dave Drogos

Kent and Betsy Herber

Cindy and Eric Hesterman

Katie Heublein

Sara High

Dayle Hoffecker

Holley Horrell and Craig McDonnell

Jack and Karen Horrell

Dale Howard and Patricia Springman

Kay Howard

Jim Hughes

Keith and Dianne Hughes

Tracy and Chris Hughes

Keisha Hunley-Jenkins

Kris Jensen

Michael Kellermeier

Deb Kohlmeier

Dan and Myra Koop

Rich and Linda Kraus

Donna Lagemann

Ava and Larry Lillmars

Marilyn and Tom Lindenberg

Lisa Lindsey

Don and Ellen Luepke

Stacee and Nick Lukacheck

John and Wendy Mader

Bob and Beth Martin

Lisa and Rupert Martin

Bridget McArdle and Matt Place

Diane McArdle

Shawn and Linda McArdle

Tim and LuAnn McArdle

George and Beth McCracken

Paul and Kathy Michalec

Brad Miller

Kelly and Matt Millet

Matt and Lisa Momper

Luke Momper

Sharon Monahan

Moody & Crew

Doug and Jennifer Mulvaney

Molly and Jeffery Nagle

Darla Neal

Cat and Jim Nevin

Terry and Koggy Newcomb

Jill Nichols

Douglas Nofziger

Joe Noonan

Janice Nowakowski

James O’Bryant

Joe and Sue O’Neil

Noel Eckert Owens

Vickie Pappas

Christopher and Beverly Parke

Alisa Paulus

John and Beth Pfeiffer

Lona and John Pritchard

Lois Reddemann

Fran Rehm and Bill Sterling

Rhonda Reidenbach

The Rhinehart Family

Virginia Richardson

Elizabeth Rufner

Clay Russert

Lindsey Ruszkowski

Sanborn’s Sofa Plus

SB

Susan Scarponi

Bill Scheumann

Heidi and Doug Schimmoeller

Debi and Rich Shatzer

Lynn and Rick Shaw

Kathy and Drent Shields

Katie Short

Kay Short

The Chris Slee Family

Snow & Sauerteig LLP

Duane and Barb Spangler

Bill Souder

Steuben County Community Foundation

Joanne and Mark Sweeney

Ruth Anne Teeple

Claire and Matt Timmer

Kit and Eric Tyler

Rob Vogelsong

Keona Walker

Abby and Jeff Watson

Gail and Richard Webster

Greg and Meghan Webster

Nancy and Bob Webster

Barb Wenger

Kimberly Wenger

Carol Wheeler

Harriet and Michael Wheeler

Richard and Patricia Wiehe

John and Jane Winch

Polly and Dennis Winzeler

Peg Zeis

MEMORIALJoseph and Evie KuhnM: Bill and Mary Ann

Kuhn

Marty and Julie Zachrich Paula and Ed Quatman The Chris Slee Family Zachary Dean Tracy and Chris Hughes

M: Brady Thomas Duvendack

Tina Huntermark The Brown Family Children

M: Lois Ann Siferd

Joanee Van PeltM: Paul D. Behrends & Paul E. Behrends

Susan ChaseM: Paul Federspiel

Pam and Tom ReithM: Peggy Kehoe

Jim and Becky HauguelM: Richard Hauguel

Dave and Brenda ObrockM: Rosella Roach

HONORARIUMSJim and Jody HoreinH: Barb Wenger

Sarah and Bill BolgerH: Janet and Warren

Ward

Larry and Linda LeeH: Tim and Ann Miller

Larry and Linda LeeH: Butch and Jennifer Callison

Joe and Katie Sisley H: Tom and Susan Kramer

Brandy and Eric BrownH: Victoria Miller

CONSERVANCY SUSTAINERSAlex and Susan Connett

Jeff and Kathy Greer with employee match from Cardinal Health

Jack and Karen Horrell

Terry and Koggy Newcomb

Deborah and Erik Oiler

Nancy and Bob Webster

SUSTAINABILITY ENDOWMENT FUNDJack and Karen Horrell

George and Kathy Schenkel

MEMORIAL WOODS TRIBUTE PROJECTMike and Pat Franz

GRANT SUPPORTPayPal Giving Fund

Steuben County Community Foundation

IDNR Lake and River Enhancement

Clear Lake Association

Steuben County Soil & Water Conservation District Clean Water Indiana Grant

IN-KINDBridget Harrison and Dave Drogos

Jack and Karen Horrell

Evy Schlosser

Nancy and Bob Webster

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

* List reflects contributions since our July issue of Clear Thinking. Contact us if you see a mistake.

THE CLEAR LAKE TOWNSHIP LAND CONSERVANCY111 GECOWETS DRIVE FREMONT, INDIANA 46737 clearlakeconservancy.org

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VOLUNTEER | CONTACT | DONATEclearlakeconservancy.org

or call (260) 527-1072

“…we are at risk together, or we are on our way to a sustainable world together. We are each other’s destiny.”

– MARY OLIVER, ‘WINTER HOURS”, UPSTREAM (2016)

CLEAR THINKING S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 1 | ISSUE NO.39

MISSION STATEMENT

We preserve, protect,& manage the natural environment within the Clear Lake Watershed and Township for future generations.

Our Knee-high Naturalist Program reached over 130 individuals covering the topics of cicadas, mushrooms, family yoga, mason bees, and fishing. Thank you to our presenters Dr. Elizabeth Barnes, Madeline Buehrer, Heidi Stark, Don Luepke, Brenda Elliott, and Pokagon State Park Nature Center.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION