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WINONA LAKE - A ferocious summer storm brought down trees, disrupted electrical service, damaged houses, resulted in an evacuation of the island residents and caused this year's July Fourth celebration to be canceled.
Yesterday a tall, hollow maple tree crashed perpendicular to town hall.
Council members discussed the damages during Tuesday's meeting.
Board president David Delp thanked town residents and employees who have been involved in the extensive cleanup. He noted the Firecracker 5K race has been rescheduled for Saturday at 8 a.m. and the fireworks display will be Labor Day weekend.
Dr. Patrick Kavanaugh, executive director of the MasterWorks Festival approached the board with a check for $1,000 to assist in costs.
"We wanted to thank all of you for your support," he said. "We love it here."
The organization provides musical, theatrical and dance instruction in a Christian-based atmosphere. For the second year, faculty members and more than 1,200 students have studied and performed in the community.
Kavanaugh said staff and students come from all over the world and many have never experienced high winds, rain and thunder.
During a weekend concert in Rodeheaver Auditorium, a collection was taken totaling $970.
"We evened it off to $1,000 to help relieve costs of the cleanup," Kavanaugh said.
Town coordinator Craig Allebaugh said an appeal will be made to the local federal emergency management system and the state.
Kirk McCutcheon of the publicity committee thanked everyone for their support of the Fourth of July celebration, which was canceled. On Friday a tree fell where the temporary restrooms would have been, and the park grounds were saturated with rainwater.
"It would have been a great success," McCutcheon said. He added that the only expense remaining is for advertising as most of the scheduled vendors received "rain checks" for participation next year.
Bill Gray, an organizer for Light the Night, a Leukemia/Lymphoma Society fund-raiser, advised the board that Winona Lake's event has become a national model for walks in small communities.
Last year's event drew more than 525 participants who raised more than $25,000.
Crane said 96 cents of every dollar goes toward research. This year the funds will be divided between research programs at Notre Dame, Purdue and Indiana universities.
"We expect between 800 and 1,000 walkers this year," Crane said, "who may raise as much as $35,000."
The 2003 Light the Night is Sept. 18 with registration at 5 p.m. and the third annual walk is at 7 p.m.
The board approved fees of $250 to $500 to be billed to residents by the Winona Lake Fire Department when they respond to structural fires.
It's a practice of all the county's volunteer fire departments, according to fire chief Roger Gelbaugh.
Delp said if the fire department is called to a fire, the homeowner's insurance is billed. If the insurance company doesn't pay, the individual doesn't pay.
Gelbaugh said the fees could generate $5,000 to $10,000 per year. The money would be used for equipment costs.
Town attorney Jim Walmer was asked to see if the fees required an ordinance.
The council and Gelbaugh also discussed using the old town dump as a training area.
Town council members are David Delp, Rolly Ortega, Jerry Clevenger, Craig Snow and Jeff Carroll.
