By Kevin Greer
Lakeside Communications Manager
Skip Skolnik first met Amy Addy in passing at Bettinger Park in 1988. He was the Sailing Instructor, and she was the Park Director. The moment he saw her, he was smitten.
“I saw her and I said, ‘That is a beautiful young lady, and I’m going to spend as much time with her as I can,’” Skip recalled.
There was just one problem: summer was ending. Skip was heading back to Otterbein University, and Amy was returning to Ohio Northern University.
A Strategic Borrowing Plan
The following summer, both returned to Lakeside to resume their same jobs. One of Amy’s responsibilities was keeping the mini golf course and park grounds clean, which meant frequent trips to the tool shed for rakes and shovels. But those tools had a habit of disappearing.
After some investigating, Amy discovered they were turning up at the Sailing Center.
“The sailing instructors and the waterfront staff started borrowing tools from the park shed,” Amy said. “I assumed they would return them, but more often than not, they weren’t there. I’d mumble a few words under my breath, march down there, and sure enough, there was my rake, shovel and other tools.”
At first, Amy suspected several employees. Eventually, she learned the culprit was Skip.
“I did leave them there on purpose,” Skip admitted. “There was an ulterior motive. She always needed the tools, so I’d either deliver them late or make her come down and get them. It gave her a reason to find me instead of me chasing her. I was intimidated, because she was two years older than me.”
The unorthodox approach worked. They married in Lakeside, and more than 34 years later, the couple is still “tooling around.”
A Proposal (Eventually)
Their dates included sailboat rides and dinners at Cisco & Charlie’s in Port Clinton. After more than a year together, Skip was ready to propose. But first, he needed permission from Amy’s father, Keith Addy, then Lakeside’s Marketing Director and Skip’s boss.
Still in college, Skip drove to Lakeside to have the conversation but lost his nerve.
“I went into the office and chickened out,” Skip said. “He was an intimidating man.”
A week later, he returned. This time, Keith initiated the conversation.
“I was dilly-dallying, and he said, ‘Does this have something to do with my daughter?’ I said, ‘Well, yeah, it does,” Skip recalled. “He was very gracious.”
Skip proposed along the waterfront in September 1990.
A Windy Wedding Day
After a rainy morning, the weather cleared in time for the wedding ceremony at the Steele Memorial Bandstand, just steps away from where they got engaged. However, as so often happens along Lake Erie, the winds didn’t leave with the storm.
When their mothers attempted to light the unity candle, the wind had other plans. Amy’s bridesmaids wore hats, and one of her favorite wedding photos captures them holding bouquets in one hand and gripping their hats with the other.
“It looks like they’re saluting,” Amy said. “It’s funny because they’re all in the exact same pose.”
One unexpected guest nearly stole the spotlight, a bumblebee that flew up the back of Amy’s dress. Thankfully, the wind prevented it from stinging her.
“All the groomsmen saw it happen and thought, ‘Oh no, this isn’t going to be good.” Amy laughed. “But it worked out fine.”
Putting Down Roots
For years, the Skolniks visited Lakeside annually, renting on Oak Avenue. In 2020, they made the move permanent.
“We raised our girls in Amherst in a four-bedroom colonial with space we didn’t need anymore,” Amy said. “We love Lakeside. When my dad worked here, my parents lived there year-round. Moving back felt like returning to my roots.”
Skip’s love for Lakeside began early.
“We were staying at the Fountain Inn, and I lost the room key,” he said. “I was upset because I thought my mom would be mad. But the key made it back to the front desk before I did. That’s the kind of place I want to live.”
Amy began her career as a teacher before transitioning into nonprofit work. Her final professional chapter brought her back to Lakeside as Director of Strategic Giving & Community Outreach. She retired in October 2025 but continues volunteering with Advancement Team and during the Lakeside Sailing Regatta.
“I don’t have much downtime, even in retirement,” she said. “I wouldn’t trade time with my granddaughters for anything. I want to continue taking advantage of all that Lakeside has to offer.”
Skip runs Skolnik Retirement Solutions in Amherst and Sandusky. It’s a family business that now includes their daughter, Libby.
“I joke that I work for her,” Skip said. “She’s the smartest person I’ve ever worked with.
An avid sailor, Skip spends time on his Sunfish and helps organize the Lakeside Sailing Regatta with friends.
“That’s how I give back,” he said. “The waterfront is part of who I am.”
The Next Generation of Lakesiders
Their daughters, Abbey and Libby, grew up attending God Squad, taking Rhein Center classes and swimming in the lake. Both later worked in Lakeside — Abbey at shuffleboard and Marilyn’s, and Libby as a lifeguard at both the pool and the waterfront. She was on duty the first day the pool opened in 2017.
Now both daughters have young children, and the Skolniks are eager to introduce the next generation to Lakeside.
“We’re looking forward to showing them the parks, playgrounds, God Squad, Splash Park — all of it” Skip said. “When our kids were little, we didn’t have the Splash Park or the pool. It’s fun to see Lakeside continue to grow.”
A Sacred Place
Lakeside will always be a special place for the Skolniks. It’s where they met, married, raised their daughters and now spend time with their granddaughters. It’s where they feel they belong.
“It’s such a sacred place,” Amy said. “The peace that you feel when you come into Lakeside is something you don’t experience in many places. We’ve made a lot of friends over the years. Both of my parents are in the Memorial Garden, so I still feel a closeness to them.”
Skip agrees.
“Lakeside is a refuge,” he said. “The world is still out there, but here you find nature, God, spirituality, the lake and calmness. It’s been a privilege to build our life here. Our kids love it. I wouldn’t do it any other way. I’m glad we’re here.”
Celebrate Valentine’s Day & Springtime Ahead
As we drive through the entrance of Lakeside Chautauqua, many of us make our way to a favorite spot, waiting for that first glimpse of spring’s color and renewal. Flowers and trees begin to bud.
With meaningful celebrations approaching — Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day — you have the opportunity to give a gift that lasts beyond the day. An honor or memorial gift can help plant flowers and beautify our sacred grounds, creating spaces where generations gather, reflect, and belong.
Your tribute becomes part of the living landscape of Lakeside and helps renew the grounds we cherish and celebrate the people who are special.
We will send a note notifying the individual you are honoring of your special gift. These gifts are also recognized annually at the Summer Closing Celebration.
