The second careers of Lonnie and Carol Rademacher come with no compensation, but they sure sound rewarding.
“We think that maybe next week it will slow down a bit, but it’s all for the good of the lake and the community,” said Carol, a retired teacher of 35 years and former girls basketball and volleyball coach. “We both enjoy keeping busy.”
And busy they are, devoting hour after hour toward the work of the Lake Leelanau Lake Association (LLLA) and the Friends of Lake Leelanau Foundation. The Rademachers, who reside in Bingham Township, have been named recipients of the LLLA “Living Legends Award.”
“I was totally shocked. I did not see that coming,” Carol said.
The Rademachers were feted July 26 at the LLLA annual meeting hosted by Noverr Farms off Lakeview Road in Elmwood Township. Lake association president Nancy Popa made the announcement.
“There is not anyone more deserving of the Living Legends Award than these two people,” Popa said.
Of Lonnie, Popa said: “He was on the Board of Directors for seven years during which he built up the association’s Stewardship Committee from almost nothing to a committee that implements nine significant initiatives to protect the lake.” Those areas include volunteer recruitment, shoreline preservation and township relations.
Rademacher previously represented the lake association on the Kids Fishing Day committee and for two years served as co-chair.
Although Rademacher plans to step back from a leadership role, his commitment as a volunteer remains. He plans to continue volunteering at boat washing stations and as a member of team fighting to contain and eliminate Eurasian water milfoil.
“I’m moving to the areas I have the most passion for,” said Rademacher, a retired sheet metal journeyman for the auto industry.
Popa called Carol a “force of nature” in organizing the LLLA spring auction and membership committee activities. She holds an even bigger role for the Friends of Lake Leelanau Foundation , which in less than three years has raised nearly $8 million dedicated to the health of Lake Leelanau.
Jennie Keller is president of the Foundation.
“We would not be where we are today without Carol Rademacher. (Board members) try at every event we attend to take a moment to recognize her publicly. She’s so humble that she doesn’t ever want to be the center of attention … it’s all on a volunteer basis that she works, and for love of the lake. She is a gift to our community,” Keller said.
Carol was busy when interviewed, picking up flower bouquets for three families that are hosting fund-raising events this weekend at their homes.
“Some weeks I work five hours, and some times it’s 15 or 20 hours. But it’s a great board to work with, with Jim (Grogan), Tom (Hiatt) and Jenny. As are all the people with the lake association,” she said.
After receiving the award, Lonnie offered thanks to the association on behalf of the couple.
“That’s my least favorite thing to do,” Carol said. “I’d rather be stuffing envelopes than giving speeches.”
