by Randy Strebig
Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association, President/Indiana Field Director SP
Published in Midwest Flyer Magazine December 2022/January 2023 Digital Issue
The 20th Annual Indiana Seaplane Pilots Association “Splash-In,” September 23-25, 2022, on Lake James at the Pokagon State Park, in Angola Indiana, was a huge success and enjoyed by all. The Midwest weather did deteriorate as the weekend progressed as forecasted, which kept many pilots and their aircraft stuck at home. Yet those who made it while the weather held at the start of the weekend were not disappointed by the activities, and all found the right window to return home on Sunday. As always, the pilots put on a great show and the volunteers are second to none, resulting in a hugely successful weekend of flying and good times!
Once again, the splash-in enjoyed a 100% safety record and a lot of smiles from the pilots and guests. There were 14 aircraft that flew in from throughout the Midwest.
The announcer for the Saturday reunion banquet, Jakob McKenney, entertained everyone as a walking Wikipedia of all things airplanes. Randy Rhodes and his daughter Sara, along with Scott Millard, handled the Friday and Saturday aircraft operations at the park seamlessly, all from the association’s new control tower, donated by Bob Magley.
The Friday evening barbecue and bonfire at my airport on the other side of the lake went well. Once again, the local Land of Lakes Lions Club prepared the evening meal and dropped three loads of skydivers on the grass strip (myself-included) from our Maule on floats, flown by Allison Wheaton. Matt Perry in his Cessna 172 on floats and the Air Indiana Cessna 182 jump plane dropped seven skydivers in all for a great show!
Saturday morning began with a poker run organized by Matt Perry and Rick Rumple, which included a spot landing contest at the arrival of the fourth stop. A total of 18 hands played in the poker run and all who attended had a great time.
No doubt some friendly competition at the spot landing contest, resulting in the first-place win going to Jerry Ness, the runner up to Rick Rumple, and an honorable mention to Chuck Marshall, as he may or may not have played by the rules. The winner with three 9’s was Ryan Lee in his J-3 Cub, and how fitting as the prize for the best hand was a neon J-3 Cub sign.
Other activities during the day on Saturday included participation in many of the events that were taking place in the State Park, and Allison Wheaton had an open house at her horse farm where participants got to meet her horses, donkeys, goats, sheep, pot belly pigs and chickens.
Everyone participated in the Saturday evening banquet at the Potawatomi Inn, where they enjoyed an excellent meal and beverages, and award presentations. Grace Willig showed a picture history of nearly all 20 years of the splash-in.
Special thanks go to the Lake James Association, Steuben County Visitors and Tourism Bureau, Herald Republican, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, State Parks Administration, and the staff of Pokagon State Park, with leadership from manager, Ted Bohman, who was on duty for the event. Potawatomi Inn Manager Emily Burris and staff attended to the group’s needs.
