Bonnie Barhorst reflects on the kind gesture she experienced through the Senior Helping Seniors program at her Stephenson Street home in Lakeview. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
A Lakeview resident and avid gardener received an early birthday present during the past week when a group of Indian Lake High School seniors and several other volunteers worked together for a full morning to beautify her outdoor landscaping.
The high school seniors pitched in side-by-side with rakes and shovels, edging the flower beds, spreading mulch and planting flowers to spruce up Bonnie Barhorst’s property along Stephenson Street.
Their dedicated efforts Tuesday, May 19, were part of the second annual Seniors Helping Seniors Program organized by the Village of Lakeview. The outdoor tasks were completed by students after their final day of school on Monday, May 18, prior to their graduation Friday night, May 22.
Indian Lake High School seniors Dakota Brown and Draden Stevenson prep the landscaping for mulch alongside Lakeview Fire Department firefighter Niki Hayman, center, at Bonnie Barhorst’s home. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
“I think it’s just wonderful. They're doing things that I could not do. I’m not able to do all the heavy lifting and get down on the ground,” said Mrs. Barhorst, who will turn 76 on June 1.
“I love things to be tidy, and I love plants and flowers. So this is a really big help to me and I’m so grateful.”
As the morning wore on in the warm sunshine, the teens were covered in dirt and mulch, but that didn’t bother them. They were very much enjoying themselves and the chance to give back.
“Getting to help out, it feels really good,” Kadence Wilkinson said, as the group wrapped up with the mulch. “I’m excited for how everything is coming together.”
“It’s been a great time,” agreed Michael Vasquez, with a shovel in hand. “We’ve been able to accomplish a lot out here.”
Indian Lake seniors Kade Richardson, left, and Michael Vasquez rip open bags of mulch during the Seniors Helping Seniors project. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
Lakeview Mayor Elaine Fagan-Moore said this is the second year for Seniors Helping Seniors, which pairs up the ILHS seniors with senior citizens in the village who need help with yard work and other tasks, especially coming out of the difficult season following the tornado recovery from 2024.
“This is a project that’s near and dear to my heart,” the mayor said while trimming hedges in Mrs. Barhorst’s yard. “Our seniors are the roots of our community.”
It's grown from last year’s participation, with more students helping this year, tackling Mrs. Barhorst’s property and a second property in the village on north Main Street, owned by Marlene Baker.
“It’s a resident-based referral, and once we receive the nominations, we go out and take a look at where we can give the most help and make the biggest difference,” the mayor explained.
“In addition to being a great way to serve our community, it’s a neat way for our students to get connected with seniors, and vice versa. Some of the students might not have grandparents who live close by, so this is a lot of fun for them.”
Lakeview Fire Department firefighter Niki Hayman enjoyed pitching in as well, working hand in hand with the students, alongside Mayor Fagan-Moore and ILHS intervention specialist aide and Key Club adviser Jenny Ignarski.
“I was very eager to join in when I heard about it,” Hayman said. “This is such a neat program and I enjoy landscaping work, too.”
Lakeview Mayor Elaine Fagan-Moore trims the hedges at Bonnie Barhorst’s property while other volunteers work in the background. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
Also joining in to help from the village were volunteers Anne Brunns and Sandy Knott.
Seniors Helping Seniors would not have been possible if not for donations of all the supplies – from mulch to flowers and tools for the landscaping projects.
The mayor said Mary Paliga, manager of the Bellefontaine Lowe’s Home Improvement, was instrumental in these efforts.
“She never hesitated and agreed to lend a hand. A generous donation of mulch, dirt and beautiful flowers were provided.”
In Lakeview and the village community, the following individuals provided mulch, flowers or other supplies and support: Wallace Custom Building, LLC; Business Pro Equipment; EMS Association; and the Washington Township Police Department.
Tom Seiler and Dave Scott and the village crew delivered all of the supplies to the resident homes.
“I’m beyond joyful and have so much gratitude to the following individuals who gave of their time and resources to help two citizens this year in the Village of Lakeview,” Mayor Fagan-Moore said.
“A special thank you for the amazing ILHS Seniors, and leadership team Clayton Westerbeck and Rob Underwood.”
Landscaping nears completion at Bonnie Barhorst’s home, with plans to add flowers to the space as well. (MANDY LOEHR | THE CHRONICLE)
The students assisting with Seniors Helping Seniors in Lakeview were part of an even larger hands-on effort May 19 by their entire ILHS Class of 2026, for the annual Senior Class Service Day. It’s a chance for them to give back to the community that has supported them through their schooling, explained Jamie Ross, district public relations.
In other parts of the community, the ILHS seniors mulched and planted flowers in Russells Point at the Municipal Building and Leppich Field. They power-washed the pool area and cleaned out canoes at the Indian Lake State Park, along with assisting with projects all around the Indian Lake Schools’ campus.
