NORTH WEBSTER - In April, when the leaves were beginning to bud, residents received a challenge - to use their imaginations and give their "fishing village" a face-lift.

During a public meeting in the North Webster Methodist Church, the results of a Ball State charette were presented. Citizens were given a new vision of the town: a view with trees and hedges, flower-laden borders, colorful awnings, canopies and banners flying, music from the bandstand.

During the multimedia presentation, architectural students talked about fishing piers and a greenway surrounding Webster Lake.

The North Webster Elementary School building was shown transformed into a complex including the library, town offices and continuing education classrooms, as well as youth, day care and senior centers.

Scott Truex, who coordinated the university's community-based projects, asked everyone to forget about funding the improvements.

"The question is your will," he said. "Are you willing to roll up your sleeves, take on a consensus as a community, take on some hard projects?

"Will you have a dream, have a consensus? Will you sit down and do it?" he asked.

Transformation usually takes some time, however, and chamber of commerce members are using it to advantage, making long-range plans and achieving short-term goals.

In May a Mainstreet Improvement Committee was formed, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce, and members of the public were invited to participate, according to Mary Gerard who is coordinating the Mainstreet Committee for the chamber.

"We didn't want a plan for just the next year," she said. "We want one for the next three, five and 10 years. We're doing things today to plan for years down the road."

Four subcommittees were formed and progress reports were presented earlier this month to discuss progress made on several key projects.

Grant applications made by the town council will help fund pier improvements and parking lot paving at the town park, according to a report given by the Lakefront Enhancement Committee. Signage directing visitors to the lake and recreation areas also are Lakefront Committee projects.

The School Committee, which will make suggestions regarding the abandonment of the North Webster Elementary School in 2002, awaits the results of a feasibility study grant also authorized by the town council.

It was announced that the Lakeview Restaurant is being managed by Pat O'Connell of Syracuse and is open for breakfast and lunch by the Parks and Recreation Committee. This committee proposes bicycle racks be placed at various places in town and intends to team up with the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation to study construction of a greenway.

The Beautification of the Town Committee reported that flower pots and park benches have been placed in the downtown area and new awnings have been installed at several establishments.

Some buildings have been repainted and a farmer's market was open on the weekends.

This committee also is considering the addition of a downtown central park, which would be used for musical entertainment and other cultural events.

Non-chamber members are still welcome to contribute to the committees' efforts.

Gerard said the charette results and the continued momemtum of the committees has involved everyone in the community.

"We need everyone involved," she said. "The social clubs, teens, the churches, this goes well beyond the Chamber and the town council.

"We want people not to just drive through North Webster, we want them to stop and enjoy the town."

Contact Dennis Wagoner, 834-2021, or Gerard, 834-2818, for more information. [[In-content Ad]]