Reflecting on a Lifetime at Lake Beulah

Submitted by Charles Kaska

My grandparents, Charles and Emily Kaska, purchased property on Humphrey Lane in 1936. The only structure on the property was a boat house that once belonged to one of the big homes on the lane. My grandparents purchased the wing of a home nearby and moved the wing on top of the boathouse creating their small summer cottage. We have the movie film showing the home being rolled into position using large round logs. My grandfather loved to fish and work in his vegetable garden. My grandmother enjoyed tending her flower gardens around the property. My uncle, Robert Kaska, and father, William Kaska enjoyed sailing in their wooden hulled C scow B2.

I have spent part of every summer at Lake Beulah. I have fond memories of spending a few weeks each summer with my grandparents. Evenings were often spent playing Sheepshead with nearby relatives who owned a dairy farm. Lake Beulah is where I learned to sail, fish, swim, canoe, and waterski. I still remember waterskiing, starting from our pier in the 1950s behind my grandfather’s wooden 1939 Century Runabout, with a 35 horsepower engine, which we still own today. I also remember the metal sailboat racing buoys, which were left in the water all season and the ski jump, located off of Gillette Point.

When my grandparents died, my uncle and father owned the home. Eventually it became too small for both families. My uncle purchased and built a home on Thistle Lane. When my last parent died, in 2006, my wife, Jennifer Kaska and I became the sole owners. Since our retirement, we have been able to spend four months at Lake Beulah each summer.

Lake Beulah is a very unique and special place for our family. I love to sail with the MC Fleet where I enjoy the camaraderie and lifelong friendships I have established. Jennifer loves to tend her flower and vegetable gardens. She enjoys the loving friendships of the Lake Beulah community. Together we enjoy swimming almost every day in our bay. We are grateful to the LBPIA and LBMD for their outstanding work to protect the lake and surrounding environment. Our family has been members of the LBPIA for generations.

We look forward to our family and grandchildren continuing our family legacy on Lake Beulah.