Photos from Karen Frederick, Lake Property Specialist
A recent snowstorm clung to the surrounding trees along State Road 9. While it made the roads treacherous, it was absolutely beautiful!Located in: Lagrange, IN
September 2008 What is for sale? (Numbers in parentheses are average list prices). As of September 30th, 2008, there are 335 homes currently for sale (162,141). They have been on the market for an average of 187 days. 74 are lakefront (278,859). 33 homes are channelfront (168,230), 92 are on ski lakes (258,579) or lakes with access to ski lakes (176,442). 51 on non-ski lakes (151,612) 36 have association or deeded access (101,456). 191 homes have no lake access (127,784). What Sold? In September 2008, there were 24 homes sold with an average sold price of 103,543. They spent an average of 149 days on the market, and were listed at an average price of 111,716. There were 48 new homes listed for sale this month at an average list price of 151,495. For information about previous months and historical data about sales in our county visit LaGrange County Housing Market Activity .
Based on information from the Northeastern Indiana Association of REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service for the period September 1, 2008 through September 30, 2008.
Presented a Fall Workshop "Dedicated to our Lakes" free of charge to local residents that included coffee breaks and lunch. I would like to thank everyone who attended and those whose hard work made this program possible.
This was a day full of informative topics on relevant issues presented by those who have dedicated their personal time and/or careers to managing and preserving the natural resources in Northeastern Indiana.
Mary Jo Fitzenrider shared how the residents of Clear Lake were able to get fertilizer with phosphate banned in their area. Then Bill Schmidt told us the ban can't be enforced unless a waiver is given by the state, so an educational outreach program has been started.
Pete Hippensteel explained the subwatershed analysis he has done in the area which documented how land use affects our water quality. Since all the water flows away from our area, we have no one to blame but ourselves. His study showed that agricultural use is the worst for water quality. It also showed that something as simple as creating a buffer zone between waterways and croplands makes a significant difference and that livestock must be fenced out of our waterways. There are programs in place to reimburse farmers for the loss of crop in buffer zones. And they are encouraging the use of "no till" methods on croplands to reduce runoff. The St. Joseph River Watershed Initiative website has detailed information about the watershed analysis.
Several speakers from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources presented information from their specialties:
Jeremy Price explained the permitting process of the DNR for seawalls and the rules regarding dock placement.
Angela Sturdevant gave us information about Indiana's Shoreline Landscaping Program and Landscaping for Lake Health. Indiana is emulating a Minnesota Shoreline Management program in using unmowed turf and native plants for residential buffers on shorelines to reduce the runoff of fertilizer and soil into our waterways. An additional benefit is that shrubs and wildflowers allowed to grow up to 3' tall are a deterrent to the geese who are leery of predators hiding in them and who are most likely to enter yards that have mowed turf grass.
Neil Ledet talked about regulations pertaining to dredging in lakes and channels. When a channel was permitted it can usually be dredged for maintaining it and manmade channels are usually easier to get permits for. Dredging a small area isn't effective as it will fill in from areas around it.
Kent Tracey explained how lake associations can seek funding from LARE, the Lake and River Enhancement Program, to investigate, evaluate, and remediate problems on their lakes.
Tyson Edwards of JF New & Associates, an ecological consulting and restoration firm, explained how the use of native plants, bio-logs, and other techniques can stabilize shorelines and reduce runoff. The use of native plants reduces water and chemical input and requires less maintenance than trying to force other species to survive.
Scott Banfield, Aquatic Enhancement & Survey, Inc., spoke on diagnosing depth problems in lakes and ponds. The use of aquatic herbicides and pesticides in shallow areas can lead to a cycle of plant growth which can't be remedied. Sometimes the solution requires changing the water depth of the area to prevent light from getting to the plants. And the time of year will influence which plants emerge and their prevalence.
Kathie Tennant, of Tennant's Industrial Dredging presented a program on the equipment and techniques used in hydraulic dredging.
The festival is held at David Rogers Memorial Park on 250W in Wolcottville, named for the man who was a fine example of the pioneer spirit as he spent his life caring for others as a herbal doctor and land propspector. His generousity lives on in the fund established for local children.
This is a FREE family friendly event that "kids" of all ages will enjoy. There will be an ASL intrepreter, a powered cart for those with walking difficulties, and large print programs.
Visit the official David Rogers Days Website for more information, scheduling, and maps.
Pine Knob Park is a 99 acre park east of Howe on SR120 and has more than your average public park.
It has special facilities for hunters and fishermen.
The wide dock offers handicapped access to a beautiful view of Meteer Lake
and is a great place to fish. There are picnic tables and grills for cookouts.
The lake and marsh are the main attraction and can be enjoyed from the fishing dock and trails.
You can enjoy the sounds of nature and catch a glimps of the wildlife;
but don't be fooled by the life sized wild game targets.
This park has field archery targets and a wooded 3D archery trail.
The cost is $5.00 per day or you can get an annual pass for $30.00.
The parking lot is gravel.
There are several handicapped accessible spots.
The Clubhouse can be rented for $150.00
LaGrange County Parks Department office is located in
Wolcottville at 0505 W 700S (Dallas Lake Park)
They are open Monday-Friday 8:00-3:30 (260) 854-2225
Email: lagrangecountyparks@yahoo.com
Web Address: www.lagrangecountyparks.org
Dallas Lake Park is a 96 acre park located on the south shore of Dallas Lake.
The charge for entry is $3.00 per car. An annual pass is available for $30.00.
The ramped entry to the wetland observation deck gives you access to the sights and sound of nature.
It is a great place for bird watching.
There is plenty of open level grassy area for outdoor sports,(bring a frisbee or a kite).
You will also find picnic tables and grills for cookouts, and a playground for the kids.
There are several water fountains.
The outhouse style bathrooms are handicapped accessible
and roomy enough to change into or out of your swimsuit.
The path back to the beach area is a mini nature walk
filled with the sounds of birds and glimpses of small animals skittering around.
The beach area has plenty of room for playing in the sand and swimming.
During the summer, the beach is staffed with lifeguards.
The Dallas Lake Park Lodge is available for rentals for $200.00
Contact the LaGrange County Parks Department at 0505 W 700S in Wolcottville
(Dallas Lake Park) Monday-Friday from 8-3:30. (260) 854-2225.
E-mail is lagrangecountyparks@yahoo.com
Web Address is: www.lagrangecountyparks.org
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Thinking about Buying or Selling a HOME? Ready to Make a Move? Karen Can Help You Home!
Our office is located in LaGrange County, Indiana. Local cities and towns include: Brighton, Emma, Honeyville, Howe, Hudson, LaGrange, Millersburg, Mongo, Ontario, Shipshewana, South Milford, Stroh, Topkeka, and Wolcottville.
LaGrange County Indiana is a great place to live or visit (LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau) because it has something for everyone. Small town living that embraces its history while planning for the future. Old-fashioned rural charm is evident everywhere. Farms with livestock and croplands, beautiful seasonal gardens, and sprawling wooded areas are the perfect backdrop for a view that may include a passing horse and buggy, people out for a leisurely stroll, or bicyclists. If you want recreation; we've got it! We have over 70 local lakes for fishing, boating, skiing, tubing, swimming, or just floating on a raft. There's also the Pigeon River Fish and Wildlife Area. In the winter, the lakes are great for ice fishing, ice skating, and snowmobiling. There are plenty of places for hunters. We have an amazing public parks system, a nature center, wildlife preserves, golf courses, and facilities for various other sports facilities. If you want shopping, our location is convenient to Fort Wayne for department stores. Sturgis, Angola, and Kendallville have supermarkets and chain stores. Within our county, major access roads include: SR5, SR9, SR 15, SR120, US 20, and the Indiana Toll Road. This means easy commutes for work or "a trip to the city". But, what LaGrange County really has to offer for our locals and visitors is the quaint little shops, festivals and craft fairs, a seasonal farmer's market and roadside stands, the Shipshewana Flea Market, and the smaller stores where you are greeted by name. Fresh baked goods, produce, handcrafted woodworking, quilts, candles, antiques... the list is endless and you can find "one of a kind" items. LaGrange County is small town living at its finest! Here are some additional links with extensive local information. LaGrange County Government Homepage LaGrange County Chamber of Commerce LaGrange County information from the US Census LaGRange County Parks and Recreation
I donate a portion of every transaction to the Children's Miracle Network and participate in the Miracle Home® Program aligned with Riley Hospital for Children.
Member
LaGrange County Lakes Council Board of Directors
Family Support and Site Selection Committees 
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