Lake Odessa

I just want to say that I was born in Lake O in October of 1969 and left in 1976, I just visited on my birthday this past October and I could not believe how things have stayed almost the same, but in the best way ! It was clean, homey, peole were extremely friendly and courteous, the playground was still as fun as I remember, the only thing i missed out on was seeing a movie at the theatre and having a drink at The Swamp in honor of my parents. My Dad worked at Keeler Brass Company and it was nice to see not an empty building but a thriving business in its place. I instantly felt at home and could I find a job I would move there in an instant. I plan on coming back this summer to spend a few days, meandering through the streets, relaxing by the lake and bowling a little. I just want to thank the little village for not being swallowed up by "progress" and making sure things stay just as they are. It was so nice not to see a Wal Mart or a Food Lion or some other chains, McDonalds was new to me but on the outskirts it was perfect. The grocery store even smelled the same !!! I cannot wait to come back this summer !!!

Glad to hear you had a great time. If you do stop by this summer, be sure to visit the high school and check out all the renovations, as well as the new middle school just southwest of it.

Mark wrote:

Glad to hear you had a great time. If you do stop by this summer, be sure to visit the high school and check out all the renovations, as well as the new middle school just southwest of it.

I want to peek in at the school I went to, the little middle school just off of Washington Blvd. My son and my husband fell in love with my little hometown, they cant wait to visit again. They actually took a dip in the lake that nite in October, they said it was COLD ! Do they have any festivals or the like in the summer or fall?

Aren't the "there's no place like home" experiences amazing? I've never been to Lake O (weird, considering I grew up in Saranac!) but next time I'm visiting family I will have to take a drive through the town. It's nice to get away from the fast pace of Ann Arbor now and then.

Art in the Park, first Saturday in July is the biggest festival LO has. You'll run into people you know then and there, for sure!

For Sure wrote:

Art in the Park, first Saturday in July is the biggest festival LO has. You'll run into people you know then and there, for sure!

That sounds fun !!! And, it would be nice to run into a few people I know, or at least knew my parents and my older brother Terry...

wondering wrote:

Aren't the "there's no place like home" experiences amazing? I've never been to Lake O (weird, considering I grew up in Saranac!) but next time I'm visiting family I will have to take a drive through the town. It's nice to get away from the fast pace of Ann Arbor now and then.

OHH!! If you want a nice relaxing day just meandering around Lake O is wonderful, and also try old town Ionia, there are a multitude of quaint little shoppes to wander around in and the old buildings are beautiful. The courthouse is something to see, beautiful stonework, and woodwork if you like that type of thing...

tanya honey i dont know if you remember us but this is gina = walker and virginia stidhams daughter our parents were friends from way back our dads both worked at keeler brass me and terry and my sister shawn grew up together in lake o after daddy retired we moved back to kentucky where mom and dad were originally from just like your parents moved back to va how is your mommy gloria or poge as my daddy use to call her you were a baby when we all use to hang out i couldnt believe you were on here i check lake os forum cause its my old home town to i havent been back since 2002 to visit a high school friend in saranac and visit my grandparents graves in the cemetary in lake o and a couple aunts and 1 uncle still in the area you are right the town hasnt changed

Everyone I have ever met from Lake O has been so polite, kind and friendly!