Dale and Tootsie Snelling retire as lake managers
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Dale and Tootsie Snelling are leaving their roles after 43 years as caretakers of Marion County Park and Lake.
Dale became superintendent of the lake in August 1964. Tootsie has worked at his side from day one.
When the Snellings arrived on the job, they had a three-year-old son, Danny, and an eight-month-old daughter, Sherry.
The office was a separate building west of the house.
At that time, there was no camping around the lake. It was confined to the hill on the west side of the lake.
The Snellings got broke in to the job quickly, as the big Labor Day weekend arrived shortly after they did.
Tootsie remembers sitting in the office with Sherry nearby in a cardboard box. Danny sometimes wandered among the campers.
Daughter Leann was born in 1967 and son Dean in 1971. A tornado struck that year and tore up many of the camping trailers.
Many changes have taken place during the Snellings' tenure. The heated dock had just been built when they arrived. In 1967, a new office was built adjoining their home, making it much more convenient for Tootsie to tend to family and business at the same time.
After Marion Reservoir opened, Marion County Lake began getting spill-over campers. As a result, camping sites were established at various spots around the lake.
A previous 11 p.m. curfew was lifted, but visitors still were required to leave at that time.
Dale said the new rule created more police work for him but it was necessary to make the lake a safe place to camp.
Other rules were established which at first weren't understood but, according to Dale, boaters and campers learned to understand their importance.
He said he tried to keep things running smoothly and make the lake a pretty, quiet, and safe place.
A new lake hall was built in 1976.
A modern shower house/ bathroom facility was built in 1998. The Snellings said it was the best thing that happened. It brought new, younger campers and is in almost constant use. Even boaters use the facility to clean up before going home after a day on the lake.
The shower house really was popular during the Girl Scouts international jamboree held at Marion County Lake in August 1998. The girls preferred the facility over the temporary showers installed for them.
The event was an exciting time for the Snellings. Dale said it was a sight to behold, as the Army came in to set up facilities and take things down afterward. He was kept busy patrolling the lake.
Years ago, boat races were held on the lake, and those were exciting times, as well, Dale said.
More recently, a new swimming pier was built and the trailer park revamped. A new boat dock was installed in November.
Dale said he hasn't gotten everything he wanted but did the best he could with what he was given.
"I'm not a pushy person," he said. "I've never asked for more than they wanted to give me. I know the county doesn't have money. Its only source of revenue is the taxpayers."
When the Snellings first arrived, Dale received compensation of $210 a month plus the house. The lake budget was $17,000.
There were 60 permanent residents. Now there are 280.
At first, money from the sale of permits went to the county's general fund. Later, Dale was allowed to keep it for operating the lake.
"I got more money, I worked harder," he said.
The couple stocked a "convenience store" for campers, sold licenses, and collected user fees.
Dale said he could have established other recreational activities around the lake, such as paddle-boating, but he felt it would make the lake too crowded and less peaceful.
About 20 years ago, Dale requested the county pay Tootsie a salary since she was helping him full-time. They complied. At present, Dale receives $20,000 a year and Tootsie gets $14,000.
"I'm satisfied, but it's not a 40-hour-a-week job," Tootsie said.
During camping season, the office is open until 10 p.m. on weekends, making for 14-hour days for Tootsie. Dale often works 18-hour days.
They said they could close the store earlier, but they like to be available and take care of their customers.
The lake budget now is $150,000, including $50,000 from the county and $100,000 from user fees.
The Snellings' children enjoyed growing up by the lake. Sometimes, for the parents, it was scary. They had to be constantly on guard to make sure the children didn't wander to the water.
The worst thing that happened to a family member was when 15-year-old Dean hit a dock while skiing and was in a coma for two weeks. He recovered.
There were other bad incidents.
The Snellings had been there just two weeks when a teenage girl committed suicide at the lake.
Drownings included a man in his car at the heated dock, a college graduate, a young boy fully clothed, and a man fishing at the spillway one February. Dale's best friend drowned in the swimming area.
The Snellings said they've enjoyed their time as caretakers but are ready to move on.
"It's going to be hard to leave," Tootsie said. "We made a lot of friends. Several generations of kids have come into the store to get a piece of candy."
"But we gave up a lot of family life and couldn't participate in community activities because we worked every weekend," Dale added.
Oftentimes, their family gatherings were interrupted when a customer came calling.
They plan to retire on their 185-acre farm in the Wonsevu community in Chase County.
The last official day on the job is April 20. But they are owed three weeks vacation time which they may or may not take. Dale said they are willing to stay on a week or two longer if it will facilitate a smooth transition to a new superintendent.
The Snellings are looking forward to spending time camping and vacationing with family and doing some traveling. They also plan to take in their grandchildren's school activities. They have 13 grandchildren ages five to 25.
