2 NEW SWINGING BENCHES INSTALLED
The Benches at Beaches project targets individuals, couples and families interested in sponsoring a single bench.
Posted 6/7/2022
By Shane Goodman
Lake Panorama Times
A survey conducted by Friends of Lake Panorama in April 2019 showed LPA member interest in additional amenities at Lake Panorama’s beaches. This led to Friends promoting high quality benches to families looking for options to memorialize a loved one.
In 2019, a bench on a concrete slab was installed at Boulder Beach in memory of Kim Lubeck. In 2021, a swinging bench was installed at the Boulder Beach playground in memory of Bill Priestley. Also last year, a swinging bench in memory of Lois and Dean Porath and a stationary bench in memory of Courtney Allen Sr., were installed at Sunset Beach.
This Benches at Beaches project targets individuals, couples and families interested in sponsoring a single bench. Benches can be purchased either as a memorial for a loved one, or by those who want to leave their mark on Lake Panorama while they are alive. In late May, two swinging benches were installed for two couples interested in doing the latter.
Brian and JoAnn Johnson
Brian and JoAnn Johnson have lived at Lake Panorama for 22 years, first near the back of Horseshoe Cove. In 2008, they built their current home at the mouth of the same cove. Their swinging bench at Shady Beach was placed to take advantage of the afternoon shade, with a view of the playground, flowers, beach and Lake Panorama.
“We are only a golf cart ride away from Shady Beach, and it has been a special playground for all four of our grandkids,” JoAnn says. “They all swim and play in the sand there, and it’s where they learned to swing with me doing a lot of pushes. The older kids still talk about the merry-go-round that was there before the new play equipment was installed two years ago.”
“Our two oldest are twins, Colt and Montana Douglas, age 14, of Adair,” Johnson says. “They think of the lake as a second home and spend a lot of time with us. I used to push them in a double stroller down to Shady Beach. Our two younger grandchildren are Hadley and Walker Everson of Adel, ages 9 and 6, and they love the new playground equipment.”
Why were the Johnsons interested in donating a bench?
“We appreciate that Friends of Lake Panorama continues to have a vision for constantly improving the amenities here at Lake Panorama, and we enjoy participating in that,” Johnson says. “As for the swinging bench, it was a natural. We can swing ourselves now, rather than push swings for grandkids. It’s a great place to sit and watch the grandkids play and enjoy the view.”
The Johnsons chose the color green for their bench in honor of Brian’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The plaque on their bench has their names, topped by the phrase “Enjoy the Moment!”
“We chose ‘Enjoy the Moment’ to remind us, and everyone who uses the swing, that joy can be found in the simple things — a beautiful view, a quiet moment, a playground or beach with grandkids, or giving to Friends of Lake Panorama,” JoAnn says.
Larry Babcock and Susan Thompson
Larry Babcock purchased a house at Lake Panorama in the fall of 1997. Susan Thompson joined him there after they married in the spring of 1998. They lived in that home on the fifth hole of the Lake Panorama National Resort golf course until three years ago. That’s when they moved across the golf course to a condo on the eighth hole of the LPN golf course.
As avid golfers, they already appreciated Lake Panorama for its two golf courses. After purchasing a pontoon from Coulter Marine their first summer, they quickly learned to appreciate Lake Panorama even more. As family members visited, the golfing, boating and beach opportunities available made the Babcock/Thompson household a popular destination for day trips and summer vacations.
In mid-2013, John Rutledge, LPA general manager, asked Thompson to consider working with legal counsel to develop a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity that could accept tax-deductible donations for recreational improvements.
Challenge accepted, and in July 2014 a letter arrived from the Internal Revenue Service saying Friends of Lake Panorama had been granted nonprofit status, and contributions would be tax-deductible to donors. Thompson has served as the Friends of Lake Panorama executive director since the beginning.
Babcock and Thompson have supported all Friends projects, both financially and as volunteers when needed. When the idea of promoting bench donations to current Lake Panorama residents who want to enjoy their own bench was proposed, the couple agreed it was another project they wanted to support.
Their bench is on a concrete slab near the south end of the Boulder Beach concrete wall. They chose blue in honor of the Chicago Cubs. Their bench plaque features the phrase “Keep Swinging!” Those words are a nod to their love of both golf and baseball, as well as their hope people will enjoy sitting in their swing and enjoy the view.
The current cost of either a stationary or swinging bench on a concrete slab is about $3,200. In keeping with the colors used for new playground equipment at the beaches, bench colors available are blue and green. LPA staff has identified several possible bench locations at all three of Lake Panorama’s beaches. Those interested in discussing a bench sponsorship can email staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org or call Susan Thompson at 515-240-6536.
By Shane Goodman
Lake Panorama Times
A survey conducted by Friends of Lake Panorama in April 2019 showed LPA member interest in additional amenities at Lake Panorama’s beaches. This led to Friends promoting high quality benches to families looking for options to memorialize a loved one.
In 2019, a bench on a concrete slab was installed at Boulder Beach in memory of Kim Lubeck. In 2021, a swinging bench was installed at the Boulder Beach playground in memory of Bill Priestley. Also last year, a swinging bench in memory of Lois and Dean Porath and a stationary bench in memory of Courtney Allen Sr., were installed at Sunset Beach.
This Benches at Beaches project targets individuals, couples and families interested in sponsoring a single bench. Benches can be purchased either as a memorial for a loved one, or by those who want to leave their mark on Lake Panorama while they are alive. In late May, two swinging benches were installed for two couples interested in doing the latter.
Brian and JoAnn Johnson
Brian and JoAnn Johnson have lived at Lake Panorama for 22 years, first near the back of Horseshoe Cove. In 2008, they built their current home at the mouth of the same cove. Their swinging bench at Shady Beach was placed to take advantage of the afternoon shade, with a view of the playground, flowers, beach and Lake Panorama.
“We are only a golf cart ride away from Shady Beach, and it has been a special playground for all four of our grandkids,” JoAnn says. “They all swim and play in the sand there, and it’s where they learned to swing with me doing a lot of pushes. The older kids still talk about the merry-go-round that was there before the new play equipment was installed two years ago.”
“Our two oldest are twins, Colt and Montana Douglas, age 14, of Adair,” Johnson says. “They think of the lake as a second home and spend a lot of time with us. I used to push them in a double stroller down to Shady Beach. Our two younger grandchildren are Hadley and Walker Everson of Adel, ages 9 and 6, and they love the new playground equipment.”
Why were the Johnsons interested in donating a bench?
“We appreciate that Friends of Lake Panorama continues to have a vision for constantly improving the amenities here at Lake Panorama, and we enjoy participating in that,” Johnson says. “As for the swinging bench, it was a natural. We can swing ourselves now, rather than push swings for grandkids. It’s a great place to sit and watch the grandkids play and enjoy the view.”
The Johnsons chose the color green for their bench in honor of Brian’s Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The plaque on their bench has their names, topped by the phrase “Enjoy the Moment!”
“We chose ‘Enjoy the Moment’ to remind us, and everyone who uses the swing, that joy can be found in the simple things — a beautiful view, a quiet moment, a playground or beach with grandkids, or giving to Friends of Lake Panorama,” JoAnn says.
Larry Babcock and Susan Thompson
Larry Babcock purchased a house at Lake Panorama in the fall of 1997. Susan Thompson joined him there after they married in the spring of 1998. They lived in that home on the fifth hole of the Lake Panorama National Resort golf course until three years ago. That’s when they moved across the golf course to a condo on the eighth hole of the LPN golf course.
As avid golfers, they already appreciated Lake Panorama for its two golf courses. After purchasing a pontoon from Coulter Marine their first summer, they quickly learned to appreciate Lake Panorama even more. As family members visited, the golfing, boating and beach opportunities available made the Babcock/Thompson household a popular destination for day trips and summer vacations.
In mid-2013, John Rutledge, LPA general manager, asked Thompson to consider working with legal counsel to develop a 501(c)3 nonprofit charity that could accept tax-deductible donations for recreational improvements.
Challenge accepted, and in July 2014 a letter arrived from the Internal Revenue Service saying Friends of Lake Panorama had been granted nonprofit status, and contributions would be tax-deductible to donors. Thompson has served as the Friends of Lake Panorama executive director since the beginning.
Babcock and Thompson have supported all Friends projects, both financially and as volunteers when needed. When the idea of promoting bench donations to current Lake Panorama residents who want to enjoy their own bench was proposed, the couple agreed it was another project they wanted to support.
Their bench is on a concrete slab near the south end of the Boulder Beach concrete wall. They chose blue in honor of the Chicago Cubs. Their bench plaque features the phrase “Keep Swinging!” Those words are a nod to their love of both golf and baseball, as well as their hope people will enjoy sitting in their swing and enjoy the view.
The current cost of either a stationary or swinging bench on a concrete slab is about $3,200. In keeping with the colors used for new playground equipment at the beaches, bench colors available are blue and green. LPA staff has identified several possible bench locations at all three of Lake Panorama’s beaches. Those interested in discussing a bench sponsorship can email staff@friendsoflakepanorama.org or call Susan Thompson at 515-240-6536.