Friends of Lake Panorama board members and guests gathered to show their appreciation to Susan Thompson for her 12 years on the board.
In appreciation, the upcoming walking path at Boulder Beach will bear her name.
By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
Susan Thompson was honored by her fellow Friends of Lake Panorama board members on Friday Aug. 28 for her commitment of more than 12 years to the organization.
Galen and Pam Johnson hosted the appreciation event at their home at Lake Panorama. Friends of Lake Panorama President Jan Reinicke offered many thanks to Thompson and announced that the upcoming walking path at Boulder Beach would be named in her honor.
Beginning in September 2014 through August 2026, Friends of Lake Panorama has raised and managed approximately $1.3 million for projects large and small. Nine Beach Ball fundraisers account for $271,000 of the total. Reinicke noted how Thompson was instrumental in each step along the way.
The first two major projects Friends completed were a destination playground at Sunset Beach in 2016 and sports courts at Boulder Beach in 2018.
Projects that followed included improvements to playgrounds at all three beaches; sports courts at Sunset Beach; dog park; Panorama West Nature Trail enhancements; South Shore recreational area that includes trails, disc golf, benches, picnic shelter and a dock for lake access; more than 20 new benches at beaches and golf courses; trees planted at beaches and the lake’s west entrance; and several smaller projects.
The Lake Panorama National Golf Course capital fundraising campaign for course improvements began in 2024 and is expected to continue for multiple years. Projects will be completed as funding is available.
The walking path at Boulder Beach recently met the $60,000 fundraising needed for construction, marking the final project of Thompson’s with Friends of Lake Panorama.
Lake Panorama Association General Manager John Rutledge has worked closely with Thompson through her 12 years on the Friends board, as well as her involvement with the LPA.
“I was hired in April 2007 and took the GM position in August of 2007. Susan was elected to the board in May 2007. In many ways, we began our LPA journey together,” Rutledge said. “Susan served a total of six consecutive years (two terms). She was secretary the first four years and president the final two. Her board service ended at the May 2013 annual meeting.”
Rutledge explained that around the time Susan completed her board service, he was contacted by local attorney Bill Bump, who was helping some clients plan their estate. Those clients wanted to donate money to LPA.
“Bill suggested LPA form a 501(c)(3) so that estate gifts would not be subject to inheritance tax,” Rutledge said. “Bill did not disclose the client’s name or the amount, but I later learned this was the McLuen Estate, which was given to enhance the Panorama West Golf Course. After discussing Bill’s suggestion with the LPA attorney and board of directors, I set about the task of recruiting members to help form and launch Friends of Lake Panorama.”
Rutledge said his first call was to Susan Thompson.
“Neither Susan nor I had a road map to where Friends of Lake Panorama would go. We knew there was a lot of potential, but also a lot of hard work to build a 501(c)(3) from the ground up. Susan agreed to lead the effort to establish Friends of Lake Panorama, and she guided it to great heights. Susan would be the first to tell you the generosity of our membership has been the driving factor in Friends’ success. But as someone whose had a front row seat for the last 12 years, I can confirm Susan’s leadership was the driving force needed to bring Friends from concept to reality.”
Friends of Lake Panorama timeline:
- November 2013: Articles of Incorporation filed with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office
- December 2013: First board meeting held
- July 2014: IRS grants 501(c)3 nonprofit status
- September 2014: Fundraising begins for Sunset Beach Playground/Boulder Beach sports courts
- May 2016: First Beach Ball raises $23,000
- July 2016: Sunset Beach destination playground opens, $130,000 cost
- May 2017: Second Beach Ball raises $20,000
- August 2017: Friends receives $473,000 from Jim & Joyce McLuen estate; funds used as designated for Panorama West golf course improvements; work done 2018-2020
- June 2018: Boulder Beach sports courts open, $175,000 cost
- August 2020: Third Beach Ball raises $30,000
- October 2020: Goal of $70,000 reached for Shady and Boulder Beach playgrounds; Shady playground equipment installed
- April 2021: Boulder Beach playground equipment installed
- July 2021: Fourth Beach Ball raises $27,000
- June 2022: Dog park opens, trees and benches added that fall, $55,000 cost
- July 2022: Fifth Beach Ball raises $37,000; LPN Shade Sails installed, cost $22,000
- August 2022: Sunset Beach swings installed, cost $8,000
- October 2022: Panorama West Nature Trail enhancements, cost $5,000
- November 2022: Sunset Beach basketball/pickleball court completed, cost $48,000
- June 2023: Sixth Beach Ball raises $27,000
- November 2023: Disc golf course opens as part of South Shore Recreation Area
- March 2024: Trees planted at west entrance, Sunset and Boulder beaches, cost $7,500
- April 2024: Capital Campaign begins for Lake Panorama National golf course improvements
- May 2024: South Shore Recreation Area complete; disc golf course, parking lot, shelter, trails, benches, signage, cost $24,000
- June 2024: Seventh Beach Ball raises $34,000
- June 2025: Eighth Beach Ball raises $35,000
- July 2025: South Shore dock installed, cost $10,000
- June 2026: Ninth Beach Ball raises $38,000
- July 2026: LPN Capital Campaign reaches $145,000 total; funds to date used to renovate forward tee boxes and driving range teeing area
- August 2026: Boulder Beach walking path goal of $60,000 reached, construction planned for September
Friends of Lake Panorama President Jan Reinicke, right, offers her appreciation to Susan Thompson, who is retiring from the board.
Jan Reinicke, right, announced that the upcoming walking path at Boulder Beach would be named in Susan Thompson’s honor at an appreciation event for Thompson on Aug. 28.
Galen Thompson, Jim Tibbles, Jan Reinicke, Susan Thompson, Jay Merryman, Jody Muench and Shanell Wagler.
