DEERBROOK — The Hyland Lakes Lions Club dedicated a new community grill area at Veterans Memorial Park at Jack Lake Saturday, completing its legacy project in honor of Lions International’s 100th year.
The pavilion, modeled after a similar grilling area at Marshfield’s Wildwood Park, was completed by club members over the past two years in a collaborative project with Jack Lake Park Manager Tom Lazers, who was on hand for the ceremony.
“It turned out spectacular,” Lazers said. “It’s going to be a fantastic addition to the park.”
According to Tim Rusch of the Hyland Lakes Lions Club, the legacy project serves a dual purpose, both to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lions International and the 60th anniversary of the local club.
“Our goal was to build something in the community that would be visible and permanent and be enjoyed,” Rusch explained. “Jack Lake is centrally located in the area we represent, and we recognize it as a gem in the community. This is our gift to Langlade County and all the people who enjoy the park.”
Based on Lazers’ suggestions, Rusch designed the building while Lions member and retired welding instructor Dennis Dettmering fabricated the massive grill. The club completed most of the work themselves, carving out volunteer hours on weeknights and weekends.
Special assistance was offered by Kirk Franske, who provided concrete finishing and masonry skills; Greg Rusch, who supplied his backhoe and the skills to operate it; Lori Leider of Shark & Minnow Design, who created the signs; Builder’s Service Inc. of Elcho with building material discounts and donations; and Rock Hard Concrete LLC, which loaned concrete tools.
“We did all the framing and construction ourselves,” Rusch said, joking that “it took longer than we expected because we are all old and unskilled.”
He gave a special shoutout to Lazers for the grilling shelter idea and concept and his assistance as work continued.
“He’s been just super,” Rusch said. “He does a terrific job taking care of this park in general.”
“It’s a good project and it’s been a pleasure to work with the Lions Club,” Lazers said. He added that the design and location of the grill, adjacent to the newer, large three-season shelter with restrooms, serving area and fireplace, will spur future improvements at the park, noting that “Langlade County makes a tremendous commitment to this facility.”
Hyland Lake Lions Club history
Hyland Lake Lions Club was formed in 1964, when residents from the Deerbrook, Neva, Bryant, Kempster, Summit Lake and Elcho area came together with leaders of the Antigo Lions Club, with Dwight Teske, Carl Schuster and Marlow Strehlow playing key roles as sponsors to form a new club serving areas north of Antigo. Jack Rusch was elected as the first club president.
“Those three guys from the Antigo Club helped organize people north of Antigo with the idea of getting the club going,” Rusch said.
The grilling area carries a sign noting the anniversary and dedicating it “in memory of our local club’s charter member and first president, Jack Rusch.”
Members of the Rusch family, including matriarch Ardis Rusch, were on hand for the ceremony.
“Dad was very proud of being a Lion,” Rusch said. “He would be very proud of this facility.”
Over the past six decades, the Hyland Lakes Lions have been a visible part of the community through a myriad of activities, including vision screenings at area schools and daycares, snowmobile races on Borth Lake headquartered at the Wagon Wheel, Neva Days, and a longtime food booth at the Langlade County Youth Fair, serving thousands of pounds of broasted potatoes over the years. Current projects include an annual golf outing at Maplewood golf course in Pickerel in May and a fall gun raffle.
Lions International is the largest service organization in the world, with over 14 million members in 200 countries. In addition to addressing the needs in their own communities, Lions focus on five areas of concern: childhood cancer, diabetes, hunger, vision and environment. Wisconsin Lions have their own eye bank, where recovered corneas are transplanted to restore vision. Wisconsin Lions Camp offers a week of fun for children and adults with disabilities at no charge, due to donations made by Lions and others.
Next project
With the grilling area completed, the Hyland Lakes Lions will not look far for the next project. Club members are already planning improvements to the Jack Lake disc golf course.
And within minutes of Dettmering taking off the brats and burgers for the dedication picnic, the grill was in use again, barbecuing chicken for a family enjoying a day at the park and beach.
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