Guests enjoyed Lake Tippecanoe Cottage Tour by cruising the lake and visiting four homes and Tippecanoe Lake Country Club Saturday, July 26. The tour was sponsored by Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation and 285 guests took a tour of the homes and country club.

This year’s tour included homes owned by: Bernie and Mary Ann Berry, Heather Berry, Michael Himes, and Scott and Renee Drake. The Tippecanoe Lake Country Club was also included on the tour.

Guests took a tour of the newly-renovated Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Founded in 1926, the country club received new ceilings, paint, carpet, artwork, chairs and bathrooms. The wood floor was restored back to its original condition. A tiki bar was also added, near the shore.

“The renovation was completed with no assessment to our members,” said Nancy Tener, membership director. The clubhouse renovation alone cost $175,000.

The newly renovated golf course features rebuilt sand traps, improved green surrounds and cart path replacement, where needed.

The first home on the tour, owned Mary and Bernie Berry, has been designed around family life and entertaining. After two remodel projects and a carriage house, it was the perfect fit for their 40-year vision. The home was completed by John Gradle and Milestone Construction.

The second house on the tour, adjacent to the Berrys, is owned by Heather Berry. Milestone Construction was inspired to turn the inside of the 1950s cottage into a sleek and modern, yet warm and inviting lake house full of light and quiet elegance. The cottage is a full-time residence for Berry.

The third home, the Drake Cottage, dates back to 1956. The owners, Scott and Renee Drake, transformed the charming cottage into their full-time home. TL Jackson was hired with the goal of adding a garage and loft area without changing the charm of the cottage. The original fireplace was preserved. The floor in the original screened-in porch was raised to create the great room. The original two bedrooms, with a Jack and Jill bathroom, became a master suite.

The Himes Cottage, is owned by Michael Himes, was built in the 1900s. Since being built, the home has had several remodels and a detached garage was added up top.

New this year, were live and silent auctions to benefit the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation. The silent and live auctions to benefit the lakes was held after the tour.

Afterwards, during the beach party at the TLCC, both auctions included: two original oil paintings from Shawn Deitch, a tubing package from Bart’s Watersports, a hammock and stand from Ace Hardware of North Webster, and Polywood furniture set from Living Quarters, jewelry, home furnishings and many more items.

For more information, visit www.tippecanoewatershed.org.