Brian and Debbie Floor have always lived the lake life enjoying all the outdoor activities that come with it—from boating and swimming to fishing and cookouts with family and friends.
Brian grew up on Magician Lake in the Sister Lakes area and Debbie grew up in a home with deeded access to Barron Lake. Their first home together was about a quarter-of-a-mile from Barron Lake, but they enjoyed water fun thanks to Debbie’s parents’ home having access to the lake.
Then in 1995, a local Realtor told them of a house that was for sale on Miars Drive. “She showed us the house and we knew that was where we wanted to raise our kids. Lake life is great for kids,” Debbie said. “We purchased the house on Miars Drive when I was pregnant with our second child. I jokingly told Brian that we could live there for one year because our new house payment was triple the Huntly Road house.”
Debbie recalls growing up with several families in the neighborhood with lots of children. “The Schadlers had three kids, the Bays family had one, the Scott family three boys, Schraders had four kids, the Davis family had two kids and the Stephens family had two kids that were near my age,” she said. A lot of kids in the neighborhood meant there was always a lot of fun.
“We had a raft that was maintained by several neighbors, and we would spend many hours playing ball tag, hide-and-seek, king of the raft, and laying in the sun. My mom worked 8 to 5 and my dad would sleep during the day because he worked from 4 p.m. to midnight so Kay Schadler spent hours watching us swim from her porch. We always had to take a throwable life preserver in case someone needed it,” Debbie said. “The Schadlers had a speedboat, so we got to go water skiing and inner tubing with them. The Davis’s had a boat, too, and my brother would go skiing with them. The Oriole Street and Miars Drive families were pretty close and the kids played well together.”
She also recalls the kids playing “cops and robbers” on their bikes, building forts on the lot across from their house on Miars Drive, and playing many softball games on the lot behind Ted and Carol Pilewski’s garage. “We had a neighborhood pig roast, and the road was blocked off with sawhorses,” Debbie said. “The pig was cooked at the Schrader’s; everyone brought a dish to pass, and it was an all-weekend event. Kids got to stay up late and run wild. Depending on the weather, the neighborhood was always busy.”
Several people in the neighborhood had motorcycles and snowmobiles and thanks to the vacant lots across from her parents’ home, her current home and the vacant lot that Gordie Dorman owned, they were able to ride close to home. When the lake froze, they would ride their snowmobiles across the lake. “The Schrader boys were hockey players and would shovel off a rink on the lake so they could play hockey. Sometimes we would ride our snowmobiles (in that same area) and pull friends behind on sleds. I pulled my brother behind the snowmobile and hit one of the berms of the rink and he ended up breaking his collarbone,” Debbie said.
Debbie also remembers an old railroad spur that ran along the vacant lot across from her parents’ house to the old Barron Lake Grocery store on Barron Lake Road.” We used to ride our bikes down “the path” to the store and buy candy and snacks. It was a small, older store that was packed with items. It had a couple gas pumps, too. I remember Mr. Welborn owning that property. He was also a teacher at the high school,” she said.
MORE SUMMER FUN
Swimming the length of the lake, hot dog roasts and working at Kugler’s Beach are three more of Debbie’s memories of her time growing up on Barron Lake.
“Once a year several people would swim the length of the lake. We had a couple of boats that would ride along the side of us in case someone got tired,” she said. “We would start from the Schadler’s and end up at Pat Kelly’s house on Shady Shores and then we would have a hot dog roast.”
For a few summers, Debbie worked at Kugler’s Beach in the pavilion, responsible for renting the paddle boats and working at the candy window. “Once in awhile I got to work the grill and serve burgers, hot dogs, fried egg sandwiches, ice cream and drinks. After working at Kugler’s, I would deliver newspapers for the South Bend Tribune on my motorcycle,” she said.
As many people remember, the Barron Lake Association at one time hosted picnics at Pepper Martin Park. “I am not sure who was in charge, but the Jerry Long family and Paul Seals family were big contributors to the picnic. I think they were in charge of the raffle prizes and fish frying,” she said.
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE—THERE’S FIRE
Debbie’s dad, Walter Jones, also known as Dub, was a volunteer fireman for several years with the Howard Township Fire Department.
“I can remember my brother and I riding in the fire truck with him to a fire. He told us to look for smoke and that was where the fire was. At the time, I did not realize that he knew where he was going. I thought Jeff and I had an important role in finding the fire.
“Times have changed. No kids in the fire trucks today,” Debbie said.
LAKE FUN CONTINUES
When it’s opening day of bass season, you will find Debbie and Brian out on the lake. “We used to travel to local lakes before we owned our house on Barron Lake. Now we just fish Barron Lake on opening day,” she said.
“After fishing, we head back to shore where we have a fish fry and Bloody Marys.” You’ll also see the Floors out on their pontoon boat (it’s one of the only double decker boats on the lake) to take an evening cruise.
“Once, when we had the pic-toon (picnic table on pontoons) we grilled burgers and hotdogs at the sandbar.”
The Floors love to entertain family and friends and on most weekends, you’ll see a crowd of people laughing and enjoying food out on their patio. “My husband, Brian, is a master griller and has a collection of Weber grills. One of the favorite items we grill are ABTs – Atomic Buffalo Turds. It’s jalapenos, sausage mixed with cream and cheddar cheeses, topped with a slice of bacon,” she said. “House rules are BYOB and a dish to pass. We love to sit on the deck and watch the 4th of July fireworks, if we are not watching them from the pontoon. It is nice to have so many pyromaniacs as neighbors.”
BOAT PARADE
You would have always seen the Floors’ entry in the lake association boat parade. “We have participated in the boat parade almost every year,” she said. “Originally the boat parade competed with my family reunion, so we had to alternate between the two events. My philosophy for the boat parade is ‘Go big or go home.’ I am very competitive and enjoy participating in the boat parade. Decorating is a team event and I believe the gaudier the better,” she said.
After the boat parade, she enjoys going to Wegner’s Lakeside Grill to celebrate. “It’s fun to see people come out on their pier and dance to the music as we pass their houses. I enjoy watching the other boats and see how they are decorated. A lot of thought and hard work goes into decorating the boats. I wish more people would participate. It’s a lot of fun and I feel it brings the lake residents together,” Debbie said.
“Our team gets together to discuss ideas that coincide with the theme. We always want to incorporate good music that people will recognize. I spend a couple hundred dollars on the decorations each year. We have won multiple awards, but, it isn’t about the awards, it is about the fun and laughter that takes place during the parade and during the construction of the float.”
OPENING DOORS WITH THE FLOORS
Brian and Debbie have lived on Barron Lake for 26 years and as Realtors have helped many people move onto or off the lake. “Our location is a big plus – we are 90 minutes to two hours from the Chicago area, and it is an easy drive. The traffic on the lake is normally safe, and not too crazy. I feel most buyers are looking for an all-sport lake, which we offer. Brian and I have also taken new buyers on a boat ride so they can see the houses from the lake. It helps to sell the lifestyle. Our daughter, Devon, is now working with us and she is very familiar with the lake,” she said.
VOLUNTEERISM
There isn’t too much happening in the area that you won’t find one or more of the Floors involved with—from the Barron Lake Association and church activities to organizations in the community.
“I enjoy serving on the Barron Lake Association as the secretary. It gives me a chance to see fellow residents and keep up with the current events and concerns of my neighbors. I have worked the entry gates at the Cass County Fair with my lake neighbors, and I see lots of people that I have not seen in a long time.
As told by Debbie Floor, written by Jodi Marneris for the Barron Lake Association.
