Staff Blogger: Josh Hilgenberg, Advancement/Communications Intern
For almost 20 years, Karen and Lee Mader have been building a better Lakeside, starting in their cottage.
The two rediscovered Lakeside on a visit with their friends who own a cottage on the grounds. They fell in love immediately – Karen could hardly believe a place like this existed in Ohio.
Summer after summer, they came back and rented cottages with their kids who played tennis almost every day and participated in just about every other program in the Chautauqua experience.
Years later, the Maders found a cottage – it needed some love, but they were up to the task. In about a year, the two totally renovated the old preacher’s home.
They reused what they could from the weary house and added on a front section. Lee, a woodworker, put in wood floors, trim and even made all the doors for their cottage, with help from Karen.
