Batman was the superhero on Lake Wawasee

By Deb PattersonStaff Writer“Superheroes” of all kinds made their way to Lake Wawasee late Saturday morning, July 7, to participate in the annual Wawasee Flotilla. Batman made the most appearances, but there were plenty of tributes to other kinds of superheroes. Fire, police and EMS, along with those who serve the country, were also recognized.This year’s event saw 18 float entries, including an entry that traveled from Greenwood Saturday morning just to enter the event.Karin Andersen and her family arose early and traveled to the lake to enter the flotilla. “My family used to come to Little Tippy,” she said, but three years ago they started coming to Oakwood Resort. During one of their visits they saw their first Wawasee Flotilla and decided they would enter one day.This was the year they entered.There were 12 wooden and antique boats that thundered through the water prior to the start of the flotilla and four decorated on shore or pier participants.Commodore Dave Stell chose the entry by Women of Today with its Batman themed entry – along with a Batmobile, as the Commodore winner.Other winners included:Wawasee Property Owners Award — Mimi Haan and the Wawasee Yacht Club’s entry with a variety of superheroes.Department of Natural Resources — The Garfield family’s Paw Patrol.First Place Business/Commercial — Superheroes with Mohawk Pier and Lift.Non-Profit Award – Luke and Jeanne Knecht’s salute to local superheroes, Turkey Creek Fire Department and EMS and Syracuse Police Department.Most original non-profit award — Brett Ploss entry featuring Superman andother superheroes.Lake Wawasee History Award — Mikala Mawhorter, the 2018 North Webster Mermaid Festival Queen of Lakes.Neighborhood Award — Karin Andersen with her patriotic superhero entry.List Family Award (Most Original) — The Price family with their Super Toon creation.Most Patriotic Award — Lindsey Traub’s entry recognizing those who serve in the military.Youth — Oakwood Resort and its Batman entry.Most Original – Youth Award — Kim Arbdgast and her Captain America entry.Most Spirited – Youth — Members of the Wawasee golf team and their superheroes.Greatest Generation Award — Bob McNary’s tribute tothe military.Most Enthusiastic Award — Unterbrick family with Wonder Woman.Super Hero Award — Stump family and their Batman, along with Joker entry.Super Hero Wooden Boat Award — A wooden boat entry with Batman, Superman and Ironman.It’s All Good — Ryan Imler’s entry of the Avengers.Rogers Award — John Topham’s entry of a pontoon decorated as the Batmobile with Robin following behind on a personal watercraft.Make America Great Award — Kathy Mayer’s entry with Wonder Woman and Superman.The Spink Condominium won the Homeowner’s Association On Shore Award.The Zipfel family, who recognized the U.S. Armed Forces as their true super heroes, won the Neighborhood/Family On Shore Award.The Newcomer family won the Most Spirited On Shore Award and the Janice VanGorder family won the Superhero On Shore Award.The Marler family won the Sweetest Superhero On Shore Award.Wooden boat winners this year were Luke Knecht’s 1968 Riva Ariston, first and Randall Tobias, second. Kevin Scheid won first in antique boats and Sandy Cobbum won second.Plans will soon be underway for the 2019 Wawasee Flotilla.