About Lagrange County, IN

With over 70 lakes in our county, the lakes council has taken on an ambitious task when it comes to fulfilling its promise to "Promote, Protect, and Preserve the quality of the lakes and watersheds of LaGrange County". And since 2002, they made great strides in accomplishing their goals.

Our monthly meeting, on Thursday the 26th, will focus on our next educational seminar. Here is an outline of the preliminary plans:

Saturday, May 16 will be the day for our annual spring seminar. We will again meet at Pine Knob park and the program will begin at 10:00 a.m.

Earlier this year, we surveyed our members and friends and determined the following topics were most desired:

• Weed control and safe removal of aquatic vegetation
• Canada geese control methods
• Communicating with your lake residents
• Fundraising ideas for lake projects
• Qualifying for LARE grants
• Pier rules and regulations

Further details will be made available as speakers are confirmed.

These are topics that are useful for all lake residents. If you have a topic that you think should be included in the seminar, please let me know.

Our meetings are open to the public and we are always looking to add new members to our group. If you want to learn more about our organization visit the LaGrange County Lakes Council website.

Interest Rates are Low

Inventory is High

and Prices are Competitive!

There are some unbelievable deals currently available in LaGrange County on our lakes. As of this morning, there were 86 waterfront homes listed for sale. Here is a breakdown of availability in several price ranges.

• 6 Homes for $100,000 or less
• 12 Homes from $101,000 to $150,000
• 19 Homes from $151,000 to $200,000
• 13 Homes from $201,000 to $250,000
• 13 Homes from $251,000 to $300,000

All sports lakes or lakes where speedboating and skiing are permitted in our county include: Adams Lake, Dallas Lake, Big Long Lake, Big Turkey Lake, Oliver Lake, and Witmer Lake. There are 29 homes lakefront on ski lakes listed for sale and prices start under $200,000! If you prefer to live channelfront on a ski lake, there are 19 homes for sale with prices starting under $100,000.

Some lakes have speed restrictions and don't permit skiing and speedboating, but connect to lakes that do via navigable channels. These lakes in LaGrange County include: Hackenberg Lake, Martin Lake, Messick Lake, Olin Lake, and Westler Lake. There are currently 11 homes listed for sale on lakes that have access to ski lakes with prices starting under $100,000.

We also have many lakes that have restricted speeds for those who enjoy fishing, swimming, and other watersports that are slow paced and quiet. There are too many of these lakes in LaGrange county to name them all, but some of the more popular include: Atwood Lake, Fish Lake, Pretty Lake, Little Turkey Lake, Royer Lake, North Twin Lake, South Twin Lake, and Wall Lake. There are 27 homes for sale with prices starting under $100,000 and 21 are under $200,000.

If these homes don't fit your budget, and you would like to get started on the lake, another option is a home or cottage with deeded or association access to a lake. There 23 homes listed for sale in this category and 15 are under $100,000! Many people start here and eventually move up to their dream home on the lake.

You can find additional information about our lakes on my LaGrange County lakes page. You can search all the lake homes listed for sale by lake type and location. If you're considering the purchase of a lake home, I can set up a search that will email you listings of lake homes as soon as they come on the market. Spring will bring many more listings and you won't miss a single one! If you see a home you would like more information about, just let me know. I will be happy to answer your questions and I can show you any of the homes in our area that are listed for sale (even those listed by other agents or firms).

We had an amazing turnout of volunteers on Saturday in LaGrange! The ages of the workers ranged from local high school students to retirees. And the level of construction experience ranged from those who had never picked up a hammer to local tradesmen who make their living at it. Together, the group united for a common cause, and it was a day of teamwork.

While it was a little cool and windy, it never rained. When we arrived at 8:00, only the foundation was in place. We started building walls and nailing down the flooring. The walls went up, then the roof rafters, and then the exterior sheathing. I snapped this at the lunch break.

In talking with people outside of Habitat, I've found that many believe we build these homes and give them to the families. This is simply not true! While our mission is to provide decent affordable housing to those in need; it is a partnership between Habitat and the family. The partner family is required to spend hundreds of hours in what is called "sweat equity" working on their home and the homes of others. And when the house is complete, they will have a mortgage for the cost of the build. This allows us to fund the next home.

The partner family and their friends were there working with us. They also have family members and friends who help them build their new home. There are two teenagers in the family and there were a lot of young people there. And what a difference a day makes! At 5:00, the roof was on and partially shingled, the windows and doors were in, and the front porch was built.

I have to admit I was exhausted at the end of the day, with aches in muscles I had forgotten I had. But, what a rewarding experience! I'm so excited to be involved in this organization! Next we have the siding, insulation, and interior walls. If you can spare a day, or even a few hours, we'll be there again this Saturday at 8:00. I hope to see you there!

The Peanuts' character Linus believed he would see, "The Great Pumkin rising out of the pumkin patch and flying through the air with a bag of toys for all of the children of the world."

 If the skies are clear this Wednesday in Wolcottville,  what you'll see flying overhead won't be the Great Pumkin...       

It's the RE/MAX balloon flying over to celebrate the opening of RE/MAX Results! Join us at our office this Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm at 200 N. Main Street in Wolcottville.

Come early for our FREE pumpkin giveaway!

Register to win a Ballon ride this Spring!

Join us for apple cider, refreshments and more!

Contact Habitat for Humanity today and sign up to help build the 18th HOME in our community. Volunteers are needed on Saturdays starting October 25th.


Prospective Volunteer:

This letter is an open invitation to you to volunteer for the uilding of our 18th Habitat home. LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity is asking for your help. This volunteer organization relies on volunteer labor to build houses within LaGrange County for those people who could not otherwise afford to own a home. We need volunteers to help Tammy Greene and her three children in the building of their home in LaGrange at 316 North Sycamore St. Habitat relies on volunteers, donated materials, and donated funds. We have the funds available to build their home. Now we need your help. We will be working on Saturdays. Workdays will start at 8:00 a.m. and stop at 4:00 p.m. We have a break a.m. and p.m. and lunch will be served at approximately 12 noon with devotions before lunch. Please join us in this Christian ministry and join the Habitat team and make a difference in our county. If you have questions please contact me at 854-2777 (home ph #) or 463-8519 our Habitat phone number.


In Partnership,


Ted Strawser

Volunteer Construction Coordinator


Schedule

October 25th Framing (50 volunteers needed)

November 1st Siding, Insulation, Windows, Etc. (25 volunteers needed)

November 8th Interior walls, Finish siding (25 volunteers needed)

December 6th Painting, preparation and priming (12 volunteers needed)

December 13th Interior Painting (12 volunteers needed)

January 3rd Interior Trim and hanging of interior doors (6 experienced volunteers)

January 10th Interior Finishing touches (12 volunteers needed)

January 17th Final touch ups and cleaning (8 volunteers needed)


Mont Arnold
Executive Director
LaGrange County Habitat for Humanity
109 E. Central Ave. Suite 1
LaGrange, In. 46761
Ph. # 260-463-8652
montarnold@lagrangehabitat.org