In 1957, the Village of Belleville ran a contest to name the lake surrounding Community Park.

When Rosemary Hare read about the contest, she decided to submit, "Lake Belle-View" meaning 'beautiful view', using her daughter Lee's name.

At the time, Rosemary, her husband, Ozzie, and their daughter, Lee, lived on Church Street. Prior to that the family had lived with Rosemary's dad, Ernie, and her sister and her son in the apartment above Ernie's Tavern, which they owned and eventually sold to Jim and Marlene Sarbacker (J&M's) in 1963. Rosemary recalled that her parents had bought the bar from Franny Ammen, who lived in Monroe. Her mom, Kathryn, died when Rosemary was about 16-years-old.

"There wasn't a prize for the winner of the name the lake contest," said Rosemary. "Just the honor of naming the lake."

"And thanks to my mom, I was the girl who named the Belleville mud puddle," laughed Lee, who lives in Madison with her husband, Bob.

Rosemary has always lived near the Sugar River and recalls that while growing up in Dayton, she would cross the Sugar River with her dad to get the cows when they lived on the farm that her dad later sold to Cloyce and Genevieve Hollis.

When Rosemary lived in Belleville, she recalls fishing from the pier behind the tavern.

"The Sugar River has always been a main thread throughout my life," added Rosemary. "I'm so proud to have had a part in naming the lake."

For many years, there was a sign with the name of the lake on River Street. After the lake restoration project, the sign was removed.

The new Lake Belle-View sign along the lake on River Street.

"Our family contacted Village Public Works Director Tim Francois to see if the sign could be replaced," explained Julie Hare Francois, Rosemary and Ozzie's second daughter. "We knew how meaningful the sign would be for our mom and our family if it could be placed back by the lake."

Tim explained that the sign was outdated because the berm was added. He requested an updated sign that credits Rosie and Lee.

On September 23rd, Rosemary's 91st birthday, her children, Lee, Scott, Julie, Kelly, and Terri, and their families, celebrated and presented her with the former sign from the lake and dedicated the new sign by Lake Belle-View on River Street.

Indeed, Lake Belle-View is a beautiful view and Community Park is enjoyed by so many. Thank you, Rosemary and Lee.