Brown’s Lake is Here for you.
Brown’s Lake Reflections:
I’ve been going to the lake for thirty-seven years; for forty-three years, for forty-five years, a common refrain when long-time Brown’s Lake goers are asked when it all started. Brown’s Lake is the summertime place.
What about this local gem, this emerald in the woods, attracts and endures? “The charm and natural beauty, the clarity and refreshing cool of the water make Brown’s Lake outstanding”, says Leslie Kristiansen, an original BLRA member, board member, and early co-secretary with her former husband, Magne. For P.D. Voelker, another original BLRA board member and nearby resident, what stands out is “the lake itself, without homes on it, spring and stream-fed, no motorboats allowed, stocked for those who fish.” For Mike and Cathy Sacco, it’s “the pure, unspoiled natural beauty of the lake. The people who are our summer family, we’ve grown over the years to love the lake members we’ve come to know.” Christie Carter, a former BLRA Head Gatekeeper and longtime nearby resident says, “over the years, the overall appreciation that the Brown’s Lake family has for the lake and its members has gotten stronger. People are kind and welcoming to new members, citing a recent new member’s words: “I felt like I’d been a member for years.”
A Bit of History:
Many local residents remember the days when you drove up to the lake and paid a couple of bucks to get into the property and swim. Then, in late spring of 1988, a rumor that Brown’s Lake would be closed for the summer forced a phone call to the owner, Chuck Singer, Sr. His wife, Neva, answered, confirmed the rumor and said that Chuck was at the lake cleaning up yet another big mess. Winston and Susanne Griepp found him there, unwilling to stop his work, so as they joined his cleanup, Chuck explained that higher insurance rates and far too much vandalism and abuse had finally forced him to close the lake, even though he really didn’t want to. Knowing how important the lake was to so many people, families, and children, he loved sharing the lake, but he just couldn’t do it anymore. After careful thought and phone calls, Winston arranged to meet with the Singers the following day with the idea of a private membership association. The association could lease the lake with lower insurance costs because it would no longer be an open-to-the-public venue, and all dues-paying members and their guests would sign liability release forms. After consideration, Chuck agreed to lease to the new self-regulating membership group. People came together to manage membership and maintenance at the lake, eventually forming a seven person Board of Directors and other vital officers. BLRA was born.
Lake Use, Maintenance, and Improvements:
Over the years, at least six BLRA secretaries have done the essential tasks that keep BLRA meeting its obligations and basic supplies, maintenance, and payroll, season to season. Of BLRA’s improvements, Leslie lists “docks, volleyball courts, improved changing rooms, tables, shade structures, new swing set, sand, fish, and general maintenance.” When the Chewelah City Pool was getting rid of its diving board, Kenny Breiter, a former board member, acquired it for the lake, and after some improvements, it remains and adds to lake fun. P.D. adds to the list, “Camp Host, guest rules, involvement of younger members.” Mike Sacco, BLRA President from 2013-2020, and current Board member adds, “the wall of shade, more active gatekeepers, and our Covid-19 response.” He and his wife, Cathy, agree that what stands out for them is “the uniqueness of the whole thing. Owned by one man, it’s potentially a fragile contract relationship.” And yet, BLRA improves, strengthening its enduring relationship with Chuck Singer, Jr. Together, with Chuck, “The BLRA has made the lake accessible to our community and has made ongoing improvements every year to the delight of members and guests”, Leslie states.
Gatekeepers are essential to BLRA’s success every day of each season. Some early members recall Susan Chamberlin (Hardy), sitting out at the gate, checking memberships. She helped inspire Christie Carter to eventually take on the role of Head Gatekeeper. There have been approximately twenty gatekeepers over BLRA’s thirty-three years. Former President Mike, says, “What’s always stood out about these mostly young women is their ability to walk the difficult line of being friendly while also enforcing the rules. Not an easy thing to pull off.” Christie emphasizes his point with, “Friendly, fair and firm.”
Gratitude and a Few Countless Memories:
6th Grade Conservation Tours, Valley School’s 4th Grade Campouts, Lake Luaus, Member Potlucks, and other celebrations at Brown’s Lake are among the memories made there. P.D. recalls his son’s first birthday party and Joel’s facial expression after his first taste of real sugar there. Time spent laughing with fellow members “about nothing and everything…keeps me going all winter long!” Christie states. She adds, “The lake is a huge part of my life. Literally, my life is tied to this magical place. Our summer days revolve around lake time and now that’s passed along to my son, Destin. It’s the place where community connections flourish, friendships that transcend the winter months.” Leslie admits, “I have lost four pairs of glasses in Brown’s Lake from jumping off the dock with them on. I guess the water was so alluring, I couldn’t think straight! This happened over twenty years and got increasingly embarrassing when I had to go back to Dr. Kohlstedt and admit that I’d done it again and needed new glasses!”
P.D. voices a shared recognition among members: “Thank you to both Chucks (Singer), and to all the members who have made BLRA an amazing success.” Mike and Cathy state what many members also recognize and cherish about Brown’s Lake: “When we see three generations of the same family weekend after weekend, we see the legacy of the lake’s ownership and the legacy of the lake membership and also the lake board.”
– Collected and written by Susanne Griepp in 2021, Founding Member and Former Brown’s Lake President and Board Member