Lakeside Women’s Club 58th Annual Tour of Homes
157 Lynn Ave.
Home of Bonnie & Dave Blank
Dave Blank’s father, the Rev. Tom Blank, began attending
East Ohio Conference meetings in Lakeside in 1955.
Annual conference was a vacation for the family – at
least for the kids.
Dave was especially drawn to shuffleboard and East Harbor beach, accessible by boat launches that left the
Lakeside dock several times a day.
Dave introduced Bonnie to Lakeside in 1973.
The couple purchased this cottage in 1991 to meet their
needs for a place that would accommodate several families at once.
The cottage was built circa 1915 and used as a full-time residence for many of its years, including
while it was owned by the Ingram family from 1947-1979.
The Blanks completely rebuilt the cottage during the 2004-2005 off-season when the "bouncing
floors" indicated that the foundation was too compromised to support the house.
This extensive renovation included a new foundation, new floor joists and floors, new interior walls,
high-level insulation, new HVAC systems, new kitchen and bathrooms and the addition of utility
rooms and a porch at the rear of the house.
Unusual architectural features in this cottage include a double kitchen to accommodate large family
gatherings, a gas fireplace in the living room, an enclosed porch with a lake view at the front of the
cottage and screened porch at the rear of the cottage with a pine ceiling and skylight.
While inside the cottage, be sure to note the upright grand piano (built by George Steck of Brooklyn
N.Y., 1892; rebuilt and refurbished by Don Dusenberry of Cleveland, 2011) acquired by Dave’s grandparents in the 1920s and the Barbie Bright watercolor of the original 157 Lynn Ave. cottage that
hangs on the north wall at the kitchen island.
Dave and Bonnie live in Westlake, Ohio. Dave retired after 40 years in management for FirstEnergy
Corp and its predecessor companies.
320 Walnut Ave.
Home of Sue Dean & David Schellhase
"Carousel" was purchased by the current owners’ parents,
the Rev. Norman and Anne Schellhase from Susanne Cook in
1972. The large painting in the dining room was painted by
Sue’s daughter, Carol, and had been displayed in the Toledo
Museum of Art.
During the crowded bustle of the house-warming party, one
of the guests exclaimed, "This is like a merry-go-round at a
circus." Anne and Norm, who both loved to entertain, decided to rename the cottage "Carousel."
The former cottage name was "Albert" to go with "Victoria,"
the cottage next door. These cottages were built in 1881 in
the Steamboat Victorian style, long and one room wide on
lots that originally held tents.
The cottages were identical until this one had the second
floor sleeping porch enclosed and rooms added at the back.
The entry double doors and French windows have rounded
heads with ornamental woodwork and heavy molding.
Soon after the siblings purchased the leaning cottage atop piles of flag stones, it was lifted to construct the current foundation.
Recent modifications include combining bedrooms 5 and 6 to add an additional shower in the upstairs bathroom, period kitchen cabinets, insulation, a three-season back porch and landscaped
patio.
The siblings have maintained the historical look inside and out, including continued use of exposed
knob and tube wiring, which is quite safe.
The current sibling owners were introduced to Lakeside in the late 1940s when their parents attended Lutheran Chautauqua, renting prior to purchasing a cottage of their own.
In similar fashion, the siblings have been renting the "Carousel" to some families during the Ohio
Methodist Conference weeks for more than 40 years.
David, a retired Lutheran pastor, and Susan, a retired special education teacher, live at Oneida
Lake, N.Y. They are happy to share this cottage with LWC Tour participants for the fifth time with
prior tours in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1981.
150 Maple Avenue
Hotel Lakeside
The north and west wings of Hotel Lakeside were
constructed in 1875 at a cost of $14,000.
In 1879, a 32-room annex was built south of the
main building for house servants of guests.
This building, later used as a dormitory for summer employees, was razed in 1962.
The 60-room east wing along Maple Avenue was
constructed in 1890 for $20,000 with electric
lights installed in each room and some plumbing
installed in a few public baths and restrooms on
each floor.
The 1894 floor plan shows the main entrance
through the stairs on the north side with the parlor behind the columns in the current front dining room. Dining occurred in the west room where the current tables and chairs are originals
used in 1875.
The registration desk was located in what is now the open area east of the stairwell and the current registration desk area served as a barber shop. The famous concrete porch was poured in
1914.
Sinks were installed in every guest room in the 1930s, and the porch was screened in during the
late 1940s.
The hotel fell into disrepair in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Razing the building or remodeling
it for a retirement center was considered.
The decision was made to renovate and modernize the hotel.
A group of volunteers, The Friends of Hotel Lakeside, provided labor and led fundraising efforts.
Renovation and redecoration took place in the late 1970s. Major restoration of the lobby occurred in 1985.
The local fire marshal threatened to close the hotel in 1987, leading to installation of sprinkler
systems.
Projects in the past five years include kitchen renovation, exterior painting, a new courtyard café, foundation extending across the original north wing and renovation of the dining rooms with
new paint, carpet, fans and light fixtures.
161 Walnut Ave.
"Green Gables"
The Hubbard family built this Gothic cottage with steep
gables in the shape of a Greek cross in 1883.
In 1884, Mary Cook purchased the cottage and in 1893,
signed the lease over to her sister, Alice.
The cottage was used as a boarding house for many
years and then stood empty until 1928 when Arthur Hoover persuaded Alice to sell the cottage to the Lakeside
Association to be used as a women’s club with his wife,
Bessie, serving as the founding president.
The Association repainted the cottage inside and out,
and Bessie gave furniture from the Hoover home across
the street at 205 Park Row, most notable the parlor wicker set.
Changes to the cottage included enlarging the front
porch in 1947 to create a meeting room with funds
raised by members. The main floor powder room was
added in 1968. A new foundation and flooring were added in 1990, followed by a new roof and
exterior painting in 1991.
The meeting room was named in honor of Eleanor Durr in 1991.
The east garden was planted in 2005. In 2012, excavation below the front meeting room enabled six concrete pillars to be poured with a new foundation.
The original Gothic windows, barge-board roof trim and gingerbread gable pendants have been
kept through the decades of renovations.
Visit the library, guest rooms for women ages 18 and older, and the clubroom. Shop at the Corner Cupboard, and join the Lakeside Women’s Club for the season or for a day.
The four guest rooms available in "Green Gables" are each named after a character in Lucy
Maud Montgomery’s famous book Anne of Green Gables.
217 E. Sixth St.
Home of Karen & Lee Mader
Lee Mader grew up coming to Lakeside in the 1960s
to vacation with friends on Cherry Avenue. Once he
married and had children, his family discovered the
magic of Lakeside.
After several years of renting a cottage for a week or
two, the Maders purchased this cottage at 217 E.
Sixth Street in 2009.
As a master woodcrafter, Lee envisioned a more updated cottage. The original structure was built in 1927
as a three-room fishing cottage; more rooms were
added over time.
Lee drew up plans for a small shed and larger cottage
that would retain the walls of the original cottage.
Shortly into the remodeling, it was discovered that time had taken its toll on the structural
walls resulting in a totally new structure. Building began in November 2011 and the family
moved in by June 2012.
Select pieces of the original cottage were kept and incorporated into the new structure, such
as the vintage Sears steel sink, the cast iron tub and medicine cabinet in the half bath, as well
as stones from the original fireplace, which were used in the new fireplace that rises up 22’.
The couple used ash, oak and walnut trim in the cottage from the beams and framed posts
that are 23’ high to the arts and crafts molding. The floors are solid boards of ash and white
oak with walnut borders.
The wood is from a local contractor. Karen and Lee transported more than 2,000 boards to Columbus where Lee planed and straightened the edges. Each board was planed at least four-six
times to achieve the desired thickness.
After this process, all of the boards were transported back to Lakeside and laid by Karen, Lee
and their son Alex. While the project was very labor intensive, the Maders believe it was worth
the effort. The floor boards are beautiful and vary in width and length.
337 Cherry Ave.
Home of Dolly & Bill Andler
Beginning in 1977, Dolly and Bill Andler vacationed
with friends at a cottage on Lynn Avenue.
They purchased this cottage in 1994, attracted by its
simplicity and well-preserved stature, as well as its
location between Lake Erie and Cherry Park.
After missing out on another cottage to a higher bidder, Dolly and Bill prayed that their bid on this cottage would be accepted. It was, leading them to
name the cottage "The Lord’s Way."
As tour attendees approach the cottage, take notice
of the gambrel roof, with two slopes on the east and
west sides. This cottage features one of the few gambrel roofs in Lakeside Chautauqua.
Also notice the hostas growing on the south side and the pachysandra on the north side that
represent growth from the childhood homes of the owners.
Dolly and Bill are retired educators, with a combined service totaling 70 years.
The couple decided to renovate their cottage in 2010.
Although the cottage exterior looks similar to what people saw on the 1973 Lakeside Women’s
Club Tour of Homes, the interior was gutted.
A new foundation and HVAC systems were installed.
Five feet was added at the rear on both levels, permitting the addition of a fourth bedroom
and an upstairs bathroom.
The original red pine floors were retained. The enlarged space better accommodates the
Andler’s adult son and daughter with spouses and five grandchildren between the ages of 411.
In the kitchen, notice the small collection of teapots and teacups, which represent to Dolly the
kindness of family and friends. One bedroom displays numerous educational achievements
that hold special meaning and reminders of many happy times to the family.
Dolly and Bill are grateful for the architect and construction company who made the cottage
into a home, which they expect will stand for another 100 years.
1002 E. Second St.
Home of Dottie McDowell
This first cottage at the East Second Street Gate
entrance is the only house in Lakeside with a
four-digit house number.
Built in 1875, the house had the luxury of having a pipe that ran up from the lake, allowing
water to be pumped into the kitchen while other families had to carry water from pumps located on the grounds.
Dottie McDowell’s parents, Bob and Kay Harrington, and aunt, Dorothy Grover, purchased
the house in 1956. Dottie inherited it in 1995,
representing 57 years of family ownership.
When this house was on the Lakeside Women’s Club Tour of Homes in 1977, viewers were
encouraged to look at the collections of quilts, glass animals and paperweights, which can be
seen today. Many of the quilts on display were made by Dottie.
Birding is one of Dottie’s passions, and binoculars are always on hand to see what birds are
on the lake.
The house features a large screened-in porch, which once had two stories and wrapped
around three sides of the house.
There are five bedrooms. The only room without a view of the lake is the master bathroom.
Furnishings include antique family furniture, Amish-made furniture and kitchen chairs purchased from the Friends of Hotel Lakeside sale that were repaired and refinished by Dottie
and her husband, Duane.
The upstairs has been redecorated but is much the same as it was in 1956.
In 2002, the main level was remodeled.
Removal of a wall and addition of picture windows in the kitchen opened up the lake view. A
third bath was added and the back porch was enclosed to allow room for a washer and dryer.
Dottie’s family and friends enjoy coming to Lakeside and there is always a crowd for the
Fourth of July.
413 E. Second St.
Home of Sue & Lee Flasche
Home movies that show Lee Flasche in rompers
throwing rocks from the shore verify that he has
been coming to Lakeside since childhood.
Lee introduced Sue to Lakeside in the 1960s. Since
marrying in 1969, they have seldom missed a year of
vacation here, renting cottages and staying for more
than 20 years at the former Rothenbuhler Guest
House.
After decades of vacationing in rented cottages, the
couple purchased this cottage in October 2010. Since they live four hours from Lakeside (in Kokomo,
Ind.) they wanted a small yard with minimal upkeep.
Sue and Lee selected a big name for their small cottage, "La Petite Maison de La Deuxieme Rue,"
which is French for "The Little Cottage on Second Street."
Notice the sign above the door has laurel flowers on one side and vines on the other side to signify
that the cottage is located between Laurel and Vine Avenues.
"At 488 square-feet, our cottage is a perfect fit for us," said Sue and Lee. "It is probably one of the
smallest cottages on one of the smallest parcels of land in Lakeside."
The cottage was built in 1926, probably with just one room and a stove in the middle, the type of cottage used by fisherman throughout the year.
Over time, the cottage was expanded, including the addition of back steps that require a signed
agreement with an adjacent cottage to allow egress since half the steps are on that property.
During the winter of 2011, Sue and Lee began a complete cottage interior remodel that included
moving doors and living room walls to make the two bedrooms larger, adding bead board, restoring
floors and redoing the bathroom.
The cottage is a gallery for Sue’s quilts and Lee’s photographs. Its exterior includes window boxes on
the porch and plants to bring color to the front of the cottage.
Since Lee and Sue are still employed (he as a welding engineer and she as a social worker), their
Lakeside time includes long weekends and some full weeks with their son and his wife.