Cedar Lake, IN

'Paper champ' is positive for cardboard craftsman

June 7, 2009
By Jeff Manes, Post-Tribune correspondent

"They took all the trees, and put 'em in a tree museum

And they charged the people a dollar-and-a-half just to see 'em

At a glance

For more information about the Great Cedar Lake Cardboard Boat Race, call 374-6157, 374-4444 or visit the Web site www.cedarlake summerfest.com .

Don't it always seem to go

That you don't know what you got 'til it's gone

They paved paradise, and put up a parking lot"

-- Joni Mitchell

In April, Boston has its Marathon. In May, Kentucky hosts the Derby, and Indianapolis the 500.

But there is another race that takes place on the Fourth of July right in our back yard you might not recognize -- The Great Cedar Lake Cardboard Boat Race.

It is an honor to feature one of the sport's all-time greats for this column -- three-time winner Ken Rasmussen. Eat your heart out, Bill Rodgers, Secretariat and Helio Castroneves.

Rasmussen, 38, grew up in Harvey, Ill., and attended Thornton Township High School. He and his wife, Mary, have three children ranging from 3 to 20 years of age. They've lived in Cedar Lake since 1990.

* * *

I realize a good portion of Cedar Lake's population has Chicago roots. Why did you choose to live near the Lake of the Red Cedars?

"When we came here 20 years ago, it was dirt cheap," Rasmussen began. "It was the best place for a young, struggling family just starting out. For quite a few years, we rented this house with an option to buy. I have three 25-foot-wide lots in front here, plus another one in back."

You're not the first person I've interviewed who lives atop one of these precipitous slopes overlooking the lake. What a view through the white oaks and black walnuts. I love it that you've left your property in its natural state. Beats mowing grass; it's beautiful.

"Yeah, I might plant a few wildflowers."

What do you do for a living?

"I'm a union carpenter out of the cabinetmakers' local in Chicago. I started out as a cabinetmaker, but the pay scale is almost one-third lower than an outside carpenter.

"I work for a general contractor, James McHugh Construction Co. My son also is in the trade, but it's slow downtown (Chicago) and he's out of work. We're praying for the (2016 Summer) Olympics. We build the high-rises; I've got my swing-stage card."

Explain.

"I can go out on suspended scaffolding."

What's the highest job you've been on?

"About 600 feet."

That's getting up there, brother.

"Hey, anything over 60 feet is death. There's definitely a rush to it when the wind picks up."

You mentioned your son; does your father also wield a claw hammer and wear a nail pouch above the Windy City?

"No, for the past 35 years or more, my dad has worked in the press room for the Chicago Sun-Times."

Ken, enough small talk. Can you win the cardboard regatta again?

"I hope so; there are cash prizes this year."

Tell me, Champ, how'd you get into the sport?

"The first year they had the cardboard boat race, about eight years ago, I just happened to stumble upon it as a spectator. I thought it was the greatest thing; I was hooked. I build at least two boats and as many as four every year; my son and oldest daughter have always participated."

As you know, it's about 250 feet between those buoys; contestants have to circle them twice. In 2006, you were clocked at 3:10, while furiously paddling "These Colors Don't Run" to victory. In '07, you and "Red White and Blue" flew at 2:52. And last year, in the kayak-like "Stars and Stripes," you crossed the finish line in an incredible 2:48.

"I also have the record for the Most People in a Boat category -- 18."

Which pontoon was that?

"Either the pirate ship or the 'Yellow Submarine;' I'm not sure. I can make one of my canoe-type racing boats in a day. The big pontoons are a little more involved. I've got a big pop-up tent I keep them in now. One year, it rained on July 3 and ruined my boats because I hadn't waterproofed them."

Explain the strict rules in cardboard boat racing.

"You can use some wood for blocking, but not for floatation. Absolutely no Styrofoam, foam rubber or plastic pipe. They don't want you to use paint below the waterline, but you can use candle or surfboard wax for waterproofing -- nothing commercially bought, like Thompson's. I've found Crisco shortening works well, and it's pretty much biodegradable."

What about a 50-horse Merc?

"No gas or electric motors, but you can make a paddle wheel or use a sail. But you gotta remember, you have to able to turn. It's not just a straight run.

"One year, the police department made like a 14-foot rowing skiff; it had the outriggers with the big 8-foot-long oars. Looked great, but they couldn't turn.

"Remember Cleo? She also looked great in that sexy gold outfit and shades. But they DQ'd her because all she did was munch clumps of grapes and sip wine while her two slaves waded in the water, pulling her along."

Any mishaps for you through the years?

"The time the wind caught us when we were in one of our big pontoons and took us out too deep, the poles wouldn't touch the bottom of the lake. We just kept heading out to sea."

Ken, you love living in Cedar Lake, don't you?

"I'll live right here forever, unless Dean White wants to give me a bunch of money for my property. This was always such a nice place for poor people to live. It always amazed me that I was able to raise my family here by the lake."

* * *

Each year, I look forward to standing on the pier while covering the Great Cedar Lake Cardboard Boat Race on the Fourth of July.

To the west of me, speedboats, sailboats and cabin cruisers bob in place as their riders clap for the cardboard crafts.

To the east of me, a melange of spectators clad in tank tops and flip-flops form a line along the shore, with Lake of the Red Cedars Museum as their backdrop.

And it all looks like a panoramic postcard from another era as good people like the Rasmussens partake in the great race.

Contact Jeff Manes at jeffmanes@sbcglobal.net.

Sailing, rowing, steam-powered vessels part of Cedar Lake's history

By Scott Bocock
Board member and volunteer with the Cedar Lake Historical Association | Sunday, June 07, 2009 | (No comments posted.)

Photo courtesy Cedar Lake Historical Association From rails to waves: About 1930, passengers regularly boarded boats at the pier after arriving at the Monon Railroad depot on Cedar Lake's midwestern shore. For a small fee, they were carried to various places along the lake. NWI Photo Store

During Northwest Indiana's warmer months, a variety of watercraft can be seen at Cedar Lake. Sailboats, rowboats and jet-skis are joined by pontoon boats that move leisurely on the lake. Even in the earliest days, boating was important at Cedar Lake.

The Potawatomi Indians skimmed the lake's surface in their canoes, while hunting and fishing. They might have also used the lake for recreational purposes. In 1837, the Hervey Ball family arrived at Cedar Lake. Timothy Ball would later write about an Indian canoe found and taken by his family in this same year, in his book, "The Lake of the Red Cedars." Although it is only a brief mention of this canoe, it demonstrates the significance the lake and canoes to the Indians.

Sailboats are still common types of vessels at the lake. Probably the earliest sailboat launching on Cedar Lake, occurred in 1838 or 1844. H. H. Horton of New York, rigged a large rowboat with a sail and a rudder. He and his nephew Timothy Ball sailed the lake. By the 1850s, sailboats were prevalent at the lake. One of the largest was a double-masted schooner with a cabin and an upper deck that served up to 100 passengers. Shipbuilder Obadiah Taylor of Cedar Lake was hired by Adelbert Palmer of Creston to construct this vessel in 1859. It was launched that same year, but after a few seasons, it was no longer seaworthy, and it was stranded at Cedar Point. In 1881, a Captain Harper would launch his boat the "Night Hawk."

By about 1900, Norwegian and French boat clubs formed along Cedar Lake's southeastern shore.

One club was organized by some Pennsylvania Railroad officials who were in charge of the depot in Crown Point.

The advancement in technology would bring other watercraft to Cedar Lake. By the 1860s, steam-powered boats became a common sight. In 1882, the Monon Railroad hired a Dr. Robert Hunter to maintain a steamer that could accommodate up to 40 passengers at once. Eventually, electric-powered boats like Mark Reed's "Dispatch," populated the lake. Soon, gasoline engines would power boats.

In the early 1900s, the Lassen Family came to Cedar Lake, as did boat enthusiasts from Chicago. The Lassen's "Dewey Line" met visitors at the Monon Railroad depot at the lake's midwestern shore. For a small fee, visitors were transported to various places on the lake.

At Cedar Lake now, a similar pattern still exists. The Cedar Lake Yacht Club continues to organize regattas. Many people launch their boats at the Indiana Department of Natural Resources boat launch. Others rent watercraft from Pine Crest and North Point. There is no doubt, boating remains important to Cedar Lake.

IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Lake of the Red Cedars Museum
WHERE: 7308 W. 138th Pl. also known as Constitution Ave.
WHEN: Tour 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday to Sunday through September or by appointment.
FMI: Call (219) 374-6157.

Cedar Lake business offers residential maintenance, cleanup

By Sharon Porta
Times Correspondent | Sunday, April 26, 2009 | (No comments posted.)

While the housing crisis has hurt many businesses, Kleen Sweep is not among them. After many years of handling maintenance and cleanup of commercial businesses, Thomas Lesh has expanded his business to include residential cleanup.

"For years, we have taken care of businesses, handle graffiti, power wash and repaint. And when a business moves out, we go in and clean it up," said Paula Reno, the company's CFO. "So about six months ago, we just decided to partner with investors and banks that are foreclosing on properties to offer the service residentially. Investors buy the home as is and we go in and clean it up."

The condition of the homes varies, but Reno said the previous owners always leave something behind.

"Nine out of 10 times there are things there that need removing," Lesh said. "We take a truck, load it up, bring it back here to sort and salvage."

Because the company is not in the resale business, they have been making donations to families that have lost items, victims of floods and fire and the Salvation Army.

"We don't really want to sell the items. We make our money doing cleanup," Lesh said. "We have a huge building and thought that instead of throwing it away, we would find people who need it. We are getting all kinds of things that people need -- especially now in these hard times."

Crews move into the homes and handle everything from painting and plumbing to general maintenance. Services include cleanup of the property, removing old furniture or garbage, pressure washing when needed and hiring professionals to repair dry wall, carpentry and landscaping.

"Some of the houses are in pretty bad shape and some are not," Lesh said. "But this end of the business has been pretty good."

Kleen Sweep even has a sister company, Astro Realty, to handle the sale of the homes once they are in good shape.

"We still offer all of our commercial services, like parking lot sweeping, snow removal, lawn care and more, "Reno said. "And with this, we're really able to help people who are losing or who have lost their homes."

Kleen Sweep
Location: 13501 Morse St., Cedar Lake
Phone: (219) 374-4296
Owner: Thomas Lesh
When opened: 1985
Number of employees: 10
Type of business: Parking lot sweeping, snow removal, lawn care, residential and commercial clean-up
Web site: www.kleensweep2000.com

http://www.cedarlakeboatclub.com/

Welcome to the Internet Home of the Cedar Lake Boat Club!

Whether you've just begun, or have been on these waters for years, it's a great way to spend time with family and friends.

In the newly formed Cedar Lake Boat Club it's all about family and friends. Families you'll grow to know and new friends you'll meet.

At corn roasts, floating parties, chilli cookouts, on the lake dinners, and any number of activities that the boat club offers, you'll meet others who share your love of the water and passion for boating and enjoying the many different events we do even in the winter.

Bringing together boaters from all walks of life is what we're here for.

You'll not find a more diverse group of boats or boaters. From pontoons to cabin cruisers, fishing boats to speedboats, any type or size of boat is welcome. Just bring your love of the water and a fun attitude.

Cedar Lake Indiana Professional Property Management

www.nwi2rent.com

By joining Willems Property Management you are getting a complete property management company. We run our business out of a professional office located at 27 W. Joliet St, Schererville, In 46375. Don't be fooled! Some property managers run their business out of their homes. This means that you will most likely get an answering machine when you call them. Don't feel bad, their tenants are getting the same response. At WPM there is always someone at our office. This gives our customers and tenants that personal touch when they call. They are greeted by a person not a machine. We are open Monday through Saturday! This means that our clients as well as our tenants are guaranteed to get their questions answered. It also gives you peace of mind that WPM is taking care of your investment property. As a WPM member you will also receive the following services:

Rental Budget:
We determine a rental budget and a fair marketable rent rate for your property. The studies we compile include mortgage payments, maintenance and management costs.

Advertising:
We will advertise on our rental website, as well as other internet sites mentioning the details which will most effectively entice a prospective renter. When the property is rented we handle the cancellation of the ads as well. WPM has many contacts with Human Resource Departments for Colleges and Major Employers throughout the Chicago land area. Our office is less than 30 miles from The Loop. We also have working relationships with several very large relocation companies.

Tenant Screening:
We will thoroughly screen all replies to your property. We screen tenants by pulling a credit report from our Experian account, verifying their employment as well as their income, and we also interview their last landlord to verify that this prospective tenant was a good tenant and left their last rental property in good standing. Yes, we screen our prospective tenants very hard, but it is as important to WPM as it is to you that we place good people into your investment property. The early personal contact that a tenant receives from WPM establishes a good dependable relationship.

Maintenance:
We will answer the renter's maintenance complaints and arrange for repair work. Our tenants have access to a 24-hour emergency number if a problem should arise in the middle of the night. This adds security to the tenant as well as you the investor that we are watching after your property 24 hours a day 7 days a week. That is comforting all by itself.

Inspections:
When a tenant checks into a property we conduct a walk through inspection on that property. This way we have on record the condition that the property was in when a tenant moves in. When that tenant leaves we use the same report to check them out. This way there is no confusion on the condition of the property after a tenant leaves. Our Leasing agents also conduct monthly "drive by" inspections on your property to make sure that the tenant is taking the best care of your rental investment. This service applies to full service property management accounts.

Monthly Statements:
Each month you will receive a detailed statement on your property. These statements are easy to read and understand. The statement will break down the month's activity on your investment property. It will show rent collected, management fees deducted, itemized maintenance, and finally your net dollar amount. This is set up in Excel Spreadsheets so your paperwork is organized for your accountant. This can be e-mailed to you as a pdf or mailed to you by regular postal service.

Why not let a professional management company help you make owning rental properties a trouble free investment? By joining WPM that is exactly what you will get. We make owning rental property headache free. Let us help you today. For fastest response please call 219-730-8275

We provide property management in the following communities:
Property Management in Cedar Lake, Property Management in Chesterton, Property Management in Crown Point, Property Management in Dyer, Property Management in Hammond, Property Management in Highland, Property Management in Munster, Property Management in Merrillville, Property Management in Lowell, Property Management in Portage, Property Management in Whiting, Property Management in Winfield, Property Management in Hobart, Property Management in Burns Harbor, Property Management in Hebron, Property Management in Kouts, Property Management in Valparaiso, Property Management in Michigan City, Property Management in Laporte, Property Management in Porter, Property Management in Westville, Property Management in Lake of the Four Seasons, Property Management in Schererville, Property Management in Saint John, Property Management in Shorewood Forest, Property Management in Ogden Dunes, Property Management in Demotte, Property Management in Wheatfield, Property Management in Roselawn, Property Management in Hanover Township, and more.

We have rentals in the following communities:
Rentals in Cedar Lake, Rentals in Chesterton, Rentals in Crown Point, Rentals in Dyer, Rentals in Hammond, Rentals in Highland, Rentals in Munster, Rentals in Merrillville, Rentals in Lowell, Rentals in Portage, Rentals in Whiting, Rentals in Winfield, Rentals in Hobart, Rentals in Burns Harbor, Rentals in Hebron, Rentals in Kouts, Rentals in Valparaiso, Rentals in Michigan City, Rentals in Laporte, Rentals in Porter, Rentals in Westville, Rentals in Lake of the Four Seasons, Rentals in Schererville, Rentals in Saint John, Rentals in Shorewood Forest, Rentals in Ogden Dunes, Rentals in Demotte, Rentals in Roselawn, Rentals in Hanover Township, Rentals in LOFS, and more.

We have houses for rent in the following areas:
Houses for rent in Cedar Lake, Houses for rent in Chesterton, Houses for rent in Crown Point, Houses for rent in Dyer, Houses for rent in Hammond, Houses for rent in Highland, Houses for rent in Munster, Houses for rent in Merrillville, Houses for rent in Lowell, Houses for rent in Portage, Houses for rent in Whiting, Houses for rent in Winfield, Houses for rent in Hobart, Houses for rent in Burns Harbor, Houses for rent in Hebron, Houses for rent in Kouts, Houses for rent in Valparaiso, Houses for rent in Michigan City, Houses for rent in Laporte, Houses for rent in Porter, Houses for rent in Westville, Houses for rent in Lake of the Four Seasons, Houses for rent in Schererville, Houses for rent in Saint John, Houses for rent in Shorewood Forest, Houses for rent in Ogden Dunes, Houses for rent in Demotte, Houses for rent in Wheatfield, Houses for rent in Roselawn, Houses for rent in Hanover Township, and more.

We have homes for rent in the following locations:
Homes for rent in Cedar Lake, Homes for rent in Chesterton, Homes for rent in Crown Point, Homes for rent in Dyer, Homes for rent in Hammond, Homes for rent in Highland, Homes for rent in Munster, Homes for rent in Merrillville, Homes for rent in Lowell, Homes for rent in Portage, Homes for rent in Whiting, Homes for rent in Winfield, Homes for rent in Hobart, Homes for rent in Burns Harbor, Homes for rent in Hebron, Homes for rent in Kouts, Homes for rent in Valparaiso, Homes for rent in Michigan City, Homes for rent in Laporte, Homes for rent in Porter, Homes for rent in Westville, Homes for rent in Lake of the Four Seasons, Homes for rent in Schererville, Homes for rent in Saint John, Homes for rent in Shorewood Forest, Homes for rent in Ogden Dunes, Homes for rent in Demotte, Homes for rent in Wheatfield, Homes for rent in Roselawn, Homes for rent in Hanover Township, and more.

We have a property manager that services the following areas:
Property Manager in Cedar Lake, Property Manager in Chesterton, Property Manager in Crown Point, Property Manager in Dyer, Property Manager in Hammond, Property Manager in Highland, Property Manager in Munster, Property Manager in Merrillville, Property Manager in Lowell, Property Manager in Portage, Property Manager in Whiting, Property Manager in Winfield, Property Manager in Hobart, Property Manager in Burns Harbor, Property Manager in Hebron, Property Manager in Kouts, Property Manager in Valparaiso, Property Manager in Michigan City, Property Manager in Laporte, Property Manager in Porter, Property Manager in Westville, Property Manager in Lake of the Four Seasons, Property Manager in Schererville, Property Manager in Saint John, Property Manager in Shorewood Forest, Property Manager in Ogden Dunes, Property Manager in Demotte, Property Manager in Wheatfield, Property Manager in Roselawn, Property Manager in Hanover Township, and more.

We have apartments for rent in the following areas:
Apartments for rent in Cedar Lake, Apartments for rent in Chesterton, Apartments for rent in Crown Point Apartments for rent in Dyer, Apartments for rent in Hammond, Apartments for rent in Highland, Apartments for rent in Munster, Apartments for rent in Merrillville, Apartments for rent in Lowell, Apartments for rent in Portage, Apartments for rent in Whiting, Apartments for rent in Winfield, Apartments for rent in Hobart, Apartments for rent in Burns Harbor, Apartments for rent in Hebron, Apartments for rent in Kouts, Apartments for rent in Valparaiso, Apartments for rent in Michigan City, Apartments for rent in Laporte, Apartments for rent in Porter, Apartments for rent in Westville, Apartments for rent in Lake of the Four Seasons, Apartments for rent in Schererville, Apartments for rent in Saint John, Apartments for rent in Shorewood Forest, Apartments for rent in Ogden Dunes, Apartments for rent in Demotte, Apartments for rent in Wheatfield, Apartments for rent in Roselawn, Apartments for rent in Hanover Township, and more.

We have condominiums for rent in the following locations:
Condominiums for rent in Cedar Lake, Condominiums for rent in Chesterton, Condominiums for rent in Crown Point, Condominiums for rent in Dyer, Condominiums for rent in Hammond, Condominiums for rent in Highland, Condominiums for rent in Munster, Condominiums for rent in Merrillville, Condominiums for rent in Lowell, Condominiums for rent in Portage, Condominiums for rent in Whiting, Condominiums for rent in Winfield, Condominiums for rent in Hobart, Condominiums for rent in Burns Harbor, Condominiums for rent in Hebron, Condominiums for rent in Kouts, Condominiums for rent in Valparaiso, Condominiums for rent in Michigan City, Condominiums for rent in Laporte, Condominiums for rent in Porter, Condominiums for rent in Westville, Condominiums for rent in Lake of the Four Seasons, Condominiums for rent in Schererville, Condominiums for rent in Saint John, Condominiums for rent in Shorewood Forest, Condominiums for rent in Ogden Dunes, Condominiums for rent in Demotte, Condominiums for rent in Wheatfield, Condominiums for rent in Roselawn, Condominiums for rent in Hanover Township, and more.

Retail space for rent in the following locations:
Retail space for rent in Cedar Lake, Retail space for rent in Chesterton, Retail space for rent in Crown Point, Retail space for rent in Dyer, Retail space for rent in Hammond, Retail space for rent in Highland, Retail space for rent in Munster, Retail space for rent in Merrillville, Retail space for rent in Lowell, Retail space for rent in Portage, Retail space for rent in Whiting, Retail space for rent in Winfield, Retail space for rent in Hobart, Retail space for rent in Burns Harbor, Retail space for rent in Hebron, Retail space for rent in Kouts, Retail space for rent in Valparaiso, Retail space for rent in Michigan City, Retail space for rent in Laporte, Retail space for rent in Porter, Retail space for rent in Westville, Retail space for rent in Lake of the Four Seasons, Retail space for rent in Schererville, Retail space for rent in Saint John, Retail space for rent in Shorewood Forest, Retail space for rent in Ogden Dunes, Retail space for rent in Demotte, and more.

Office space for rent in the following areas:
Office space for rent in Cedar Lake, Rentals in Chesterton, Office space for rent in Crown Point, Office space for rent in Dyer, Office space for rent in Hammond, Office space for rent in Highland, Office space for rent in Munster, Office space for rent in Merrillville, Office space for rent in Lowell, Office space for rent in Portage, Office space for rent in Whiting, Office space for rent in Winfield, Office space for rent in Hobart, Office space for rent in Burns Harbor, Office space for rent in Hebron, Office space for rent in Kouts, Office space for rent in Valparaiso, Office space for rent in Michigan City, Office space for rent in Laporte, Office space for rent in Porter, Office space for rent in Westville, Office space for rent in Lake of the Four Seasons, Office space for rent in Schererville, Office space for rent in Saint John, Office space for rent in Shorewood Forest, Office space for rent in Ogden Dunes, Office space for rent in Demotte, Office space for rent in Wheatfield, Office space for rent in Roselawn, and more.

We can handle lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in the following locations:
Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Cedar Lake, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Chesterton, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Crown Point, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Dyer, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Hammond, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Highland, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Munster, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Merrillville, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Lowell, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Portage, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Whiting, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Winfield, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Hobart, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Burns Harbor, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Hebron, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Kouts, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Valparaiso, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Michigan City, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Laporte, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Porter, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Westville, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Schererville, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Lake of the Four Seasons, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Saint John, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Shorewood Forest, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Ogden Dunes, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Demotte, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Wheatfield, Lease options, lease to own, purchase options, and rent to own in Roselawn, and more.