The old house at 1270 Main Street is coming down. The house, built circa 1910, has been uninhabited for some time and owners Bob and Janet Ayers who live next door decided to raze it and build a garage. (Video below)
eltenpowers@plakedaily.com
PLake Daily Top Stories New stories Coming Soon…
For Whom the Bell Tolls
A new addition to the history museum. The bell belonged to Gerald Fuller (1896-1988), owner of Fuller's Garage in Pleasant Lake. His wife, Evangeline (1898-1967), was a teacher at Pleasant Lake HIgh School. Their son, Richard, was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy. Their son, Robert, was lost at sea during World War II. Possession of the bell passed down to Richard's twin sons, Richard and Robert of Tega City, South Carolina. They have donated it to the Pleasant Lake History Museum where it will be heard again for the first time in over one hundred years.
Luke 3:11
The Luke 3:11 Coat Bank at Mount Zion United Methodist Church was started about ten years ago by Kathy and Rick Pettys. In the last seven years, close to 6,000 coats have been given out to those in need. The need and the inventory have grown. Recently, the church expanded the project by building "The Blessing Barn" to house the inventory. The building is funded by donations, money making projects and special offerings. The Coat Bank this fall will be open on October 29 from 9 until 1 and November 5 from 9 until 1. All are welcome.
Meeting
Representatives from the Pleasant Lake Lions Club, Pleasant Lake United Methodist Church, Pleasant Lake Community Church, Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Baptist Church, Steuben Township Fire Department and the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society meet to discuss plans for the BIG EVENTS of September 24 and 25. Different groups will be providing food for visitors. The next planning session is scheduled for Monday, August 15, at 6:30 at the fire station. Come on down.
https://www.indianarailexperience.org/angola-american-history-train/

Victory Flyer | American History Train - Indiana Rail Experience
September 24th & September 25th Climb aboard for a trip back in time! Departing downtown Angola, Indiana during the annual American History Days festival, the American History Train will take guests on a trip back to the 1940s for a living history experience in Pleasant Lake with WWII reenactors, live music, classic automobiles, food vendors, and more during a layover that will last ...
Sad News
Many of you knew Anita and her husband, Tim, as owners of the Marathon station.
https://obits.al.com/us/obituaries/fortwayne/name/anita-howard-helgeson-obituary?id=35833502
Big News!
Below is the link to the Indiana Rail Experience. Scroll down to American History Train. On Saturday, September 24, and Sunday, September 25, passenger trains will be departing Angola and coming to Pleasant Lake! There will be five trains on Saturday and four on Sunday. The depot in Angola will be made up as a 1945 USO Canteen with people in period costumes. The trains will then come to Pleasant Lake where there will be around 150 World War II reenactors in an encampment. People can come for the whole day or stay for 45 minutes when the train will return to Angola. It's going to be huge!
https://www.indianarailexperience.org/angola-american-history-train/
Farewell
Pastor John and Marsha Boyanowski will be leaving Pleasant Lake and the Pleasant Lake United Methodist Church after 21 years of service. Pastor John has accepted a position as full-time pastor at Solid Rock United Methodist Church in Warren, IN.
John is originally from Rhode Island and Marsha is from Wisconsin. They met in New York. Marsha was attending a service in a New York church where her father was the minister. John was part of a visiting singing group from a church in Rhode Island. They had not yet spoken when Marsha pointed at John and told the youth pastor sitting next to her, "That is the man I'm going to marry." At the time, she was fifteen and John was nineteen.
The group from the church and the singing group got to spend some time together over the next couple of days as John and Marsha got acquainted. On the third day John asked for a kiss.
For a variety of reasons, they lost touch for a couple of years until John called as Marsha was praying that he would. They were married in 1984.
While attending a wedding in Huntertown, they decided that Indiana is where they wanted to live. They lived in Fort Wayne and John worked in counselling and as a youth pastor until called to come to Pleasant Lake in 2005.
John and Marsha have three children and seven grandchildren.
They have been valuable members of the Pleasant Lake community and will be greatly missed.
Oh, and the food bank they created will continue.
New Additions
Now that the Lions Club is taking ownership of the beach and, thanks to Ralph Kugler, there are now more trash cans, a new sign and a porta potty at the beach. Just in time for the hot weather!
Mystery Man!
Class photos of the graduating classes of Pleasant Lake High School from 1920 through the last class in 1958 used to line the halls of the lower level at the school. They have been in storage for some time. They are now in the possession of the Pleasant Lake Historical Society and are at the Pleasant Lake History Museum. We have taken them out of the frames and they will be put in a "flip panel" so people can look through them and they will, once again, be on public display.
In taking the backs off the pictures, some now more than one hundred years old, we didn't find money, love letters, secret messages or valuable transcripts. But, in removing the backing on the class photo of 1932, there was something interesting. Glued to the back of the picture itself was the photo of the handsome fellow you see above. His picture was not on the front of the photo and is not in any of the other class pictures. The school did not publish yearbooks in the '30s so we can't look for him there. So who is he? And why would his picture be glued to the back of the class picture? Is this the first time his picture has been seen in ninety years? Unsolved mysteries of Pleasant Lake.
Anstett Recognized
Like his father and grandfather before him, Steve Anstett has been serving his community for more than 50 years.
https://www.kpcnews.com/heraldrepublican/article_9023ccaa-b1a7-5492-bc2d-d3287b293b1e.html
New Additions at Redneck Ridge
Ralph is stocking up for winter. Get those orders for ham and bacon in.
Another Successful Sale
The Pleasant Lake Historical Society's annual yard was a good opportunity for P. Lake folks to get together. Money was raised to create new exhibits for the Pleasant Lake History Museum such as the panels on the east side of the building.
Celebration
Family and friends of Walt Silberg and his daughter, Janet Silberg Ayers, gathered to celebrate their birthdays. We won't tell you how old they are but, perhaps, the posters on the wall will give you a clue.
Tradition Continues
On the last day of school at Pleasant Lake Elementary, the Steuben Township Fire Department shows up. A wonderful and wet time is had by all.
It used to be something else
The building at the corner of Main Street and Colleen Street was originally a garage. The stretch of Old 27 from Parkway Drive to Main Street did not originally exist. If you were travelling south from Angola, you would need to turn on what is now Colleen Street past this building then make a 90-degree turn to the left to continue on the main road. That is why there were three gas station and a garage in that area.
Rebuild
John Pranger is rebuilding at the site where his home was destroyed by fire last year.
New Addition
Josh Kugler has put a new a spacious storage building on his property.
Africa Trip Memories & Brunch
The Baptist ladies enjoy a spring brunch and a presentation by Kay Walker about her trip to Africa
Fundraiser
A successful pancake and sausage fundraiser for the Steuben Township Fire Department. Thanks to all involved.
Museum Update
Three street scenes of old Pleasant Lake. Check out the side of the Pleasant Lake History Museum.
"Event Center"
The new "event center" Bob and Janet are creating is really taking shape.
Breakfast
The ladies of the Northern Lakes Nursing Center provide breakfast for the "Fire Station Gang" in Pleasant Lake. Good stuff. Thanks
Two classics for two classics
On the left is a 1951 Chevy pickup truck. It was presented to George Gilbert by his many friends when he retired as president of First Federal Savings Bank of Angola. George was born in 1951. On the left is a 1950 Chevy that was given to Ralph and KIm Kugler by their sons on the occasion of their 50th wedding anniversary.
P. Lake Elementary News
We have been super busy over here at P-Lake. We have been to Camp Little Turtle down the road, the Fort Wayne Zoo, and we are having a renowned author hopefully coming to our school on Monday. (Laura Loveberry). We have completed our testing for the state and had a drawing for all students that tried their best. We gave away about 30 prizes with two bikes among the prizes. The first bike was donated by Kelly Falls, our title teacher. The other bike was donated by The Pleasant Lake township. Amazing!!! We also gave away donated scooters, skateboards, footballs, soccer balls, etc. The give away was a HUGE success. Next year, we would like to do a prize drive to continue this powerful tradition.
Mrs. Val Priller
Pleasant Lake Elementary Principal
260-475-5055
Spiffing Up The Park
A new load of mulch has been delivered to the John Brooks Playground at the Steuben Township Park. Thanks Ralph.
Chainsaw Art
Bob and Janet Ayers had to cut down the old maple tree in their backyard. The stump was turned into a work of art by chainsaw artist Scott Lepley. I don't think it has a name yet. Any suggestions?
Going Up!
Bob and Janet Ayers are putting up a new building next to their home. Rumor has it that it will be the new event center for Pleasant Lake.
On The Road Again
Barb Penick and Kay Walker continue their world travels with a trip to Arizona. Looks warm there.
Snow Birds Return
The annual migration of Snow Birds back to their nests has begun. Walt and Marcia Silberg are home as are Eric and Mikki Anspaugh. They are just in time to see the transition from winter to summer. There was no spring.
A Conversation With Dick Dodge
In 2016 Trent and I sat down for a talk with Dick Dodge. There were innumerable technical problems with the audio and video that have since been corrected and here is our conversation. I found it particularly interesting Dick's description of his vagabond existence after graduation from high school.
After a long while away, we want to start again to tell the stories of the people and events of our remarkable little village. What stories do you have that should be on PLakeDaily?
Let's start with this. Four years ago, Trent Lewis and I sat down and had a conversation with Violet Hollopeter about her life and teaching career. Here it is.
New House!
You have noticed the new home going up next to the post office. Steury Builders is creating it for Jim Bryan (first photo), Jim lives at 1025 Main Street, the house just West of the new one. Jim's bother, Tim, lives in the house next to that. Tim is a pilot for Southwest Airlines. Jim is a graduate of Tri-State College and is a retired mechanical engineer. He served in the United States Navy from 1968 until 1972 and most recently worked with another brother in an engineering consulting firm in South Chicago. He purchased the home he has now in 1976 while a student at Tri-State and plans to keep it. So why build a new house if you are going to keep the one you have? Jim says the answer is six children and fifteen grandchildren who will be coming to visit often. The new house is about 1,900 square feet with three bedrooms and one office. So which house will Jim be staying at? He said, "wherever there is a bedroom available."
Izaiah and The Steury Family
Indy Star Article (click on picture to launch article) or follow this link https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2020/09/18/indiana-high-school-cross-country-running-angola-izaiah-steury-ethiopia-distance-runner/5679114002/?fbclid=IwAR0q7oH_IR8VhfvHDDXP-mkWQNfdpDT_gVKsn5l5-oo7C5PfKtbDUJ3N-
Coming Down
video by Janet Ayers
P. Lake Veteran Honored
Herald-Republican Story - By Nina Lucchesi news@kpcmedia.com
Paved!
The highways, byways and alleyways of Pleasant Lake are newly paved and looking good. Thank you Steuben County Highway Department.
Museum Rehab
Painted! Thanks to the work of Jack Heinz and his son Jeff, the museum building is looking good.
Clean-Up
Well, that was a mess. The Pleasant Lake Lions partnered with the Steuben County Plan Commission to place three dumpsters at the township park. As you can see, we needed more than three. Special thanks to Courtney Stoy and his excavator (ably assisted by Jeff Erwin, Dave Brockett, Jerry Walker and Larry Jack) we got it all packed into five.
Progress
Work is moving right along on the new home being built by Phil and Sharon Myer on the south shore of Pleasant Lake.
Beautification Project
The Steuben Township Trustee's office, through a discretionary fund, has purchased twenty flower pots that are placed along Main Street. The pots were the idea of and will be maintained by a Master Gardner who wishes to remain anonymous. Looking good!
Another FIRE!
The barn on the curve on South Drive went up in flames on Saturday, May 2. The barn, owned by Bob and Carolyn Mizer was built around 1900 and has been used for storage and a workshop by the Mizers. Fire departments from Steuben Township, Angola, Hamilton, Fremont, Hudson and Ashley answered the call.
FIRE!
Another fire along Main Street. A garage behind an unoccupied house along Main Street caught on fire but was promptly saved by the Steuben Township Fire Department.
Rain or Shine We All Have to Dine
Curbside Service at Pleasant Lake Elementary
That's what it says on the sign in the window at the school. Every morning (Pictured left to Right) Sue Smith, Dena Helmuth, Carol Atha and Jennifer Abbot show up at Pleasant Lake Elementary to prepare nearly one hundred meals for students. Meals are picked up at the school between 11 and 1. On Fridays a three pack of meals (pictured) is prepared for the weekend. Thank you to Sue, Dena, Carol and Jennifer for all you do to help our kids, our families and our community.
Blessing Box
A blessing box has been installed at Pleasant Lake Elementary School. The idea is that people can donate non perishable food products to help those in need during the current economic crisis. Eventually, according to Rosie Brandt, principal at Pleasant Lake, it will be used as a book box for students. The box came about following a discussion among members of the Booster Club. It was made by Nathan Stroud and painted by his wife, Kandee. Thanks to Pleasant Lake Elementary and the Strouds for their contributions to the community.
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