By Stephanie DeBolt
SYRACUSE, Ind. — There’s not a soul on Wawasee Lake that is looking more forward to Saturday’s Flotilla than 2008 Commodore Sam Cole.
For more than 30 years, Cole and his family have called the Syracuse community home and participated in past Flotilla celebrations by entering floats and decorating boats for weeks in preparation.
“I’d take a week’s vacation from work, there was a lot to do,” Cole laughed.
He backs his statement with proof, as the nine entries he’s placed have all earned first place and even one Commodore’s Cup accolade.
“We loved every minute of it,” Cole said.
Cole said his personal favorite float, was “Hagar the Horrible and Lucky Eddy.”
“We did it all in corrugated cardboard, and the boat was 13 feet high. I got to be Lucky Eddie,” Cole said.
He remembered searching high and low for costume pieces to fit the float’s decor.
“The best part was I had to find a funnel to fit my head. I was all the way in Fort Wayne looking for funnels, and I’m trying all of them on and the clerk had no idea what I was up to. We all had a good laugh when I explained it to him,” Cole said.
Visiting the lakes as a youngster, Cole enjoyed the vacations away from his boyhood home in Marion. In 1970, Cole took an opportunity to sell recreational vehicles for Barth Co., and moved his wife Marilyn and daughter Cathleen to the lakes.
“We’ve been here ever since,” Cole said.
Not only is Cole an expert float builder and decorator, he is also a champion of community service.
“Marilyn and I started at Lakeland Youth Center 27 years ago. I enjoy community participation and being involved.” Cole said.
He’s spent 27 years as a member of the Flotilla Committee, twice serving as chairman. Cole is an 18-year member of the Wawasee Property Owners Association and spent five years on the fireworks committee.
Cole was also active in the planning and creation of the local Community Center, and said that sometimes it was a challenge to help people visualize the future.
“It took a lot of time. People weren’t sure how it would all work together, but it has.” Cole said.
Cole also stepped up to the challenge of raising funds for the Syracuse library in a three-week contest that included a mock mayoral race.
“It was a whole lot of fun, and we raised $40,000,” Cole said.
He’s on the board of directors for the Syracuse Historical Museum, and enjoys giving his time, ideas and labor to causes he supports.
“It keeps things interesting,” Cole laughed.
Working as an independent contractor selling corrugated boxes, Cole has met and befriended many community members. He still reports to work, a job he says he loves, and has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
“Why quit if you love your job?” Cole asked.
When asked the secret to successful sales, Cole simply answered, “Make your calls — that’s all you have to do. I’ve had everybody around here as a customer at one time or another.”
When Cole learned of this year’s Flotilla theme, honoring servicemen and women, he couldn’t have been more pleased. The Korean War veteran supports the troops, no matter where they’re serving.
“I think this year’s Flotilla theme is huge. Supporting them (service people) is a good thing for the community,” Cole said.
He added that special activities already scheduled for the Flotilla kickoff, such as the 21-gun salute and the playing of “Taps” prior to the kickoff at 4:30 p.m. in Wawasee’s Southeast Bay will remind people what the celebration is about.
“What’s going to really pull it together is people being able to follow the memorial boat around the lake,” Cole said.
In years past, Cole said, the Lake Patrol kept tagalong boaters away from the Flotilla lineup. This year, a honorary procession will be allowed.
For now, Cole is working hard on his own transportation around the lake Saturday, preparing to host family and friends, and will keep an eye on the weekend forecast.
“I hope the weather is good — I’ve been hearing all these predictions,” Cole laughed, “But it probably won’t matter much. We’ll still have a great time.”
