Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
WINONA LAKE - It's obviously a love affair, one fostered by sparkling water, the squeals of splashing children and the comforting sense of history.
Jane Gordon Cook and Paula Heckman have authored a delightful book about Winona Lake and the characters it nurtured and inspired.
Printed by Ican Publish, a division of Heckman Bindery, North Manchester, the slim volume is a beautiful coffee table piece.
"It's certainly not an exhaustive work," Heckman said of "Winona Lake Summers." "It's a social book. Easy to read in 15-minute bursts."
Comprising seven short chapters: "Winona Lake Summers, History of Winona Lake, Chautauqua, Bible Conferences, Billy and Ma Sunday, Homer Rodeheaver and Winona Musicians and Through The Decades," the book is easy to pick up, easy to put down and easy to get back to later.
Full of delightful insights about the lake's development, the story begins with the enterprising Beyer brothers in 1881 and ends with the town's rejuvenation spearheaded by Brent Wilcoxson and the Winona Restoration Co.
This take-it-to-the-beach book is printed on rich cream-colored nonglare paper.
As an added bonus, both authors share their insights and their families' stories about summers spent on Winona Lake.
Cook's grandparents began the lake tradition by renting a mobile home for their vacation. Her father got "hooked" on the lake and soon bought a cottage.
Cook spent every summer there as a child swimming, skiing and sailing. When she was old enough she and her siblings worked at the inn or the hotel or the Eskimo Inn Restaurant.
Now a full-time, year-round resident, as well as a great-great-grandmother, Cook's story reflects the lives of many people who grew up on Winona Lake.
Heckman, a Tennessee native, arrived on the Warsaw-side of the lake as the fiancee of her husband, Steve.
Steve is the grandson of Vernon and Mary Heckman, who operated the Heckman Bindery in Winona Lake (as well as their main office in North Manchester) and who became a full-time resident after serving in the military.
Heckman's story incorporates a history about the Chicago Boys Club and the development of Stone Camp housing subdivision.
People, places and events are illustrated with plenty of photographs, many courtesy of Al Disbro. The history of the lake town comes to life through the faithful reproductions of programs, advertisements and other items of interest dating back to the late 19th century.
On the Net:
www.winonalakesummers.com
