All Stops Pulled Out to Save Cottage

Ellie Reismeier was ready to pull out all the stops to save the "Cottage in the Woods."

Knowing that the Forks Township Board of Supervisors was expected to decide on the fate of the controversial Zucksville Road home, Reismeier was ready to spring into action.

She wanted to fire all her artillery at the supervisors, digging in her heels like the defenders of The Alamo against Santa Anna and the Mexican army.

Reismeier first stated her vision for the cottage as a cultural center, a multi-use facility with an arboretum and a place for art galleries.

She then turned it over to former supervisor Don Miller, who talked about his efforts to purchase the property for the township years ago.

"This is a unique home. It's an asset to the township," Miller said. "I just hope you guys find a way to save this place."

More pressure was applied by Rob Leiser.

The Sullivan Trail resident talked about the cottage's character and charm.

"First the house goes, then the woods and then it's a parking lot," he said. It's something that should be preserved. Don't destroy this property."

Those comments were followed by a round of applause from the crowd of nearly 50 people who came out to support saving the structure.

Next came a fellow who makes a living restoring historical buildings.

Marcus Brandt spoke of "a charming little building that was remarkably in good condition."

"Is it worth saving?" he said. "I'd move in there in a heartbeat."

Then followed a Forks resident and college professor who believed she could write grants and raise funds through bake sales and other functions to generate enough income to pay for the work needed to refurbish the cottage, work estimated at between $50,000 and $80,000.

Reismeier followed all that up by bringing 634 signatures to supervisors from a petition to save the cottage.

"This is about inspiring a community to get involved," she said. "I hope you make the decision to do the right thing."

After such a showing, how could the supervisors do anything else. They voted unanimously to save the cottage.

Reismeier, who launched the Save the Cottage Committee, couldn't have been more thrilled. And neither could those at the meeting.

The Cottage in the Woods has been saved. Now we'll see where its place in Forks Township will be in the future.